Abstract: A device for monitoring environmental exposure includes an element whose electrical properties change, in a predetermined way, in response to the environmental exposure. The element may be part of a tuned circuit or of a shield for a tuned circuit. In either case, when the tuned circuit is interrogated, preferably by an r.f. or microwave signal, it emits a signal whose intensity depends on the electrical properties of the element. Thus, an incremental environmental exposure can be measured by a change in the signal intensity. The device is particularly useful for monitoring the condition of perishable materials, because it can be located with the perishable inside a packaging material during both storage and interrogation.

Abstract: Conjugated backbone polymers (e.g., polyacetylene), especially formed into a battery electrode, are contacted with a compound MR where M is an alkali metal and R is alkyl of 1-12 carbons, phenyl or alkylphenyl of 7-12 carbons. The method is particularly suited to treatment of battery electrodes to avoid a high initial internal resistance.

Abstract: Polymer solutions are formed by reacting an aromatic heterocyclic such as thiophene, substituted thiophenes or oligomers of either with an acceptor doping agent (Lewis Acid) such as arsenic pentafluoride in the presence of certain solvents such as arsenic trifluoride. Articles such as air-stable conductive poly(3-methylthiophene) are cast from such solutions.

Abstract: Conjugated backbone polymers (e.g., polyacetylene), especially formed into a battery electrode, are contacted with a compound MR where M is an alkali metal and R is alkyl of 1-12 carbons, phenyl or alkylphenyl of 7-12 carbons. The method is particularly suited to treatment of battery electrodes to avoid a high initial internal resistance.

Abstract: A polymer solution is formed from a sulfur- or oxygen-containing aromatic polymer solute such as poly(phenylene sulfide) or poly(phenylene oxide), a Lewis Acid solute derivative (dopant) such as arsenic hexafluoride and a liquid halide solvent such as arsenic trifluoride. The solutions are especially useful for casting conductive polymer articles.

Abstract: Batteries are disclosed with electrodes, especially cathodes, having a conjugated backbone polymer such as polyacetylene as electroactive material and a coating. The coating is formed by reaction between the oxidized polymer and a pyrrole, thiophene, azulene, furan or aniline compound.

Abstract: A polymer solution is formed from a sulfur- or oxygen-containing aromatic polymer solute such as poly(phenylene sulfide) or poly(phenylene oxide), a Lewis Acid solute derivative (dopant) such as arsenic hexafluoride and a liquid halide solvent such as arsenic trifluoride. The solutions are especially useful for casting conductive polymer articles.

Abstract: A method and reagent for the selective nitration of aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises contacting a complex of at least a catalytic amount of a polyether with a nitronium containing substance, e.g., NO.sub.2 BF.sub.4 with an aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., toluene with at least one replaceable hydrogen. Nitration of toluene with these complexes at ambient temperature resulted in a reduction in meta substitution. In competitive studies, soluble crown ether complexes of NO.sub.2 BF.sub.4 in CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 nitrated toluene 45-59 times faster than they nitrated benzene.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer, doped with at least one electron acceptor or electron donor, which polymer has a main chain of arylene units and interspersed regularly or irregularly between them one or more chalcogen atoms or groups of such atoms, especially sulfur and/or oxygen atoms; especially poly(p-phenylene sulfide) doped with an arsenical doping agent. These doped polymers have utility similar to semiconductors or to metals, particularly where light weight is desired, for example in battery electrodes.