Design and electrosynthesis of push-pull substituted polythiophenes

A series of bithiophenes substituted with donor and acceptor groups has been synthesized. The relationship between the electrochemical behaviour of these bithiophenes and their ability to electropolymerize is analysed and discussed. The antagonistic electronic effect of both substituents can be controlled in order to allow stereoregular polymerization to take place. The obtained polymer shows unusual electrochemical and electrooptical properties, associated with the presence of strong accepting and donating groups alternating along the conjugated backbone.