Electrosynthesis of a functional conducting polymer incorporating ferrocene unit from an EDOT-based bithiophenic precursor

A precursor of electrogenerated functional polythiophene combining an EDOT moiety with a thiophene ring on which a ferrocene group is attached at the internal β-position via a sulphide linkage (1) has been synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical polymerization of this precursor has been investigated in potentiodynamic and potentiostatic conditions. The analysis of the electrochemical behavior of the films growth under various conditions shows that potentiostatic polymerization of 1 in nitrobenzene leads to a polymer which exhibit the electroactivity of the polythiophene backbone and that of the attached ferrocene moiety.