Molecular weight monitoring of poly(2-[[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) depending on polymerization conditions: investigation of thermal stability, antimicrobial properties, and conductivity enhancement

A novel polyphenol with azomethine group, Poly(2-[[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) P(2-DBAP), was synthesized by oxidative polycondensation of 2-[[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) (2-DBAP) using NaOCl, H2O2, and O-2 oxidants in aqueous alkaline medium. The effects of oxidant type and concentration, monomer concentration and polymerization temperature and time on yield and molecular weight distribution of P(2-DBAP) were investigated. The structures of 2-DBAP and P(2-DBAP) were confirmed by UV-Vis, FTIR, and (HNMR)-H-1 techniques. Thermal behavior of the polymer was also analyzed by TG-DTG techniques. Electrical conductivity value of P(2-DBAP) which was doped with iodine for 24 hr at 60 degrees C was measured as 7 x 10(-2) S/cm by increasing 10(10) fold compared with its undoped form. This conductivity level is the highest value reported in the literature for polyphenols containing azomethine group. Additionally, antimicrobial activities of 2-DBAP and P(2-DBAP) were tested against Sarcina lutea, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus Feacalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis bacteria and Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi.