Spectroscopic studies on the polymerization of benzimidazole with metallic copper

The co-ordination polymerization of benzimidazole with metallic copper has been investigated by i.r. and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. When a chemically cleaned copper disk or powder is immersed in benzimidazole solution, benzimidazole forms ligands to copper to form a complex of benzimidazole-Cu0, which can be easily oxidized and deprotonated in air. The product formed is bisbenzimidazolatocopper(2+), which covers the surface of copper in the form of a polymeric film.