Rod-like tetrathiafulvalene polymers with extended π-conjugation

Rigid-rod type tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) polymers with exocyclic double bonds were prepared via a precursor route. The processable precursor polymers which contain hexathio-ortho-oxalate repeat units undergo thermal extrusion of dimethyldisulfide and result in target structures with extended π-conjugation. The extrusion must be carefully monitored to obtain structurally defined products. Doping of the resulting polymers with iodine shows conductivities which compare favorably with those of other electrically conducting polymers such as, e.g. polyacetylene and polythiophene.