The chemical nature of polyacetylene doping

The chemical mechanisms involved in oxidative doping of polyacetylene, (CH)x, have been investigated using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. A common feature in doping by halogens, silver rats, and AsF5 is electron transfer from the polymer to the dopant to give a polyolefinic cation and a reduced form of the dopant which intercalates between the polymer chains. The infrared spectrum of the oxidized polymer shows several intense features arising from vibronic activation and enhancement of totally symmetric Raman active Ag modes in the i.r. The implications of these observations on the structure of the polyacetylene chains after doping are discussed. © 1980.