N -Alkyl 4,4'-bipyridylium salts were synthesized and characterized. Cyclic voltammetry investigation showed that monosubstited 4,4'-bipyridylium salts are prone to reversible single-electron reduction. The formal redox potentials vs. a saturated silver chloride electrode were determined for different potential sweep rates. High-resolution ESR spectra of the radical cations formed upon the reduction of N-substituted 4,4'- bipyridylium salts in acid media were measured and interpreted. The substituent structure and the type of anion in the molecule have a considerable effect on the spin density distribution, current–voltage characteristics, and elctrooptical properties. The applicability of monosubstituted 4,4'-bipyridylium salts as photoelectrochromic compounds was studied.

Symmetric N , N ′-disubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl (viologens) are synthesized and described. It is shown by cyclic voltammetry that disubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl have a tendency toward reversible two-electron reduction. Normal first and second step oxidation-reduction potentials with respect to saturated silver chloride electrodes at various potential scan rates are found. The spectra of the high-resolution electron paramagnetic resonance of viologen cation radicals formed during the reduction of N , N ′-disubstituted salts of 4,4′-bipyridyl are obtained and interpreted. It is established that the nature of substitutes and counterions in a viologen molecule considerably influences the distribution of its spin density, voltammetric curves, and electro-optical properties.

New composite electrochromic systems combining the advantages of low-molecular-mass organic electrochroms-high molar-absorption coefficients in the colored state and high switching rates-with good properties of polymers-such as mechanical strength and film-formation ability-are prepared through the incorporation of low-molecular-mass viologens into a carboxyl-containing polymer matrix via noncovalent binding. The formation of noncovalently bound polymer-viologen complexes is confirmed by IR and UV spectroscopy. It is found that the degree of substitution in a viologen molecule strongly affects the character of interaction with the polymer matrix and the electrochromic properties of the composite.