Macromolecules, Vol.40, No.15, 5279-5283, 2007
Preparation of optically active pyridine-based conducting polymer films using a liquid crystal electrolyte containing a cholesterol derivative
Optically active poly(1,4-di(2-thienyl)phenylene), poly(terthiophene), poly(bithiophene), and poly(2,5-di(2-thienyl)pyridine) are successfully prepared by asymmetric electrochemical polymerization in a cholesteric electrolyte. The polymers thus synthesized are confirmed by polarizing optical microscopy to assume the double-spiral optical texture of the cholesteric liquid crystal electrolyte. In the reduced state, these polymers exhibit an intense Cotton effect in circular dichroism measurements. This optically active electrochromism is reversible by appropriate adjustment of applied voltage (redox state). Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate that poly(2,5-di(2-thienyl)pyridine) has an electrochemical n-dopable property.