A new polythiophene derivative with highly sensitive and selective affinitychromism properties

A new poly(3-alkyl)thiophene bearing a piperidinic moiety in the side chain was synthesized in different ways with satisfactory yields in soluble fractions at high molecular weights. The chromic behaviors of the different polymeric samples were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy in different solvent/non-solvent mixtures and in the presence of some analytes; a strong affinitychromism toward bicarboxylic acids was observed. The good chromic response and its independence from the structural parameters of the polymer indicate the development of a very useful and easily obtainable colorimetric tool for the quick, sensitive and selective detection of diacid molecules in organic solvents.