Macromolecules, Vol.32, No.5, 1390-1397, 1999
Polymerization and characterization of 4,4 '-bis(alkylsulfanyl)-2,2 '-bithiophenes
Regioregular polymers poly[4,4'-bis(butylsulfanyl)-2,2'-bithiophene] (P1) and poly[4,4'-bis(octylsulfanyl)-2,2'-bithiophene] (P2) were prepared from 4,4 '-bis(butylsulfanyl)-and 4,4'-bis(octylsulfanyl)-2,2'-bithiophene, by oxidative polymerization with FeCl3, and characterized by H-1 and C-13 NMR, FT-IR, and UV-vis spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy (AFM), electrical conductivity, and cyclic voltammetry measurements. They exhibit weight-average molecular weights of 8 and 70 kDa, respectively, and are both readily soluble in CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CS2, toluene, and THF. P1 has a lamellar structure, and P2 is a flexible and compact film that can be easily processed and manipulated. In the neutral state, they show UV-vis absorption maxima at about 470 nm in CHCl3 solution and exhibit marked solvatachromism and thermochromism. Furthermore, they can be cast from orange-red solution to form a violet film. The p-doping potentials have been determined, and the possibility of electrogenerating corresponding polymers has been checked. First comparative characterizations of the electrogenerated polymers have been carried out.
Keywords:MULTIPLE QUANTUM NMR;POLYTHIOPHENE DERIVATIVES;SOLID-STATE;OPTICAL-PROPERTIES;CHROMIC PHENOMENA;HEAD;POLY<3-(ALKYLTHIO)THIOPHENES>;POLY(3-ALKYLTHIOPHENES);POLYMERS;PROTON