Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly(4,4′(5′)-bis[(3,4-(ethylenedioxy)thien-2-yl]tetrathiafulvalene) films: A new TTF–bithiophene regular copolymer

Anodic coupling of 4,4′(5′)-bis[(3,4-(ethylenedioxy)thien-2-yl]tetrathiafulvalene (1) in acetonitrile has produced a new polythiophene-based polymer containing tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moieties regularly inserted in the polythiophene chain. The polymer poly(1) has been compared with poly(3-[7-oxa-8-(4-tetrathiafulvalenyl)octyl]-2,2′-bithiophene) bearing the TTF moieties as pendant groups. The polymer films were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, FTIR reflection–absorption and UV–vis spectroscopy, in situ ESR and in situ conductivity. The reversible oxidation of the polymers in two one-electron steps at the TTF moiety displays characteristics which suggest a faster electron transfer and a higher redox conductivity for poly(1).