Design and synthesis of a series of substituted polyphenylene-thiophenes

A series of substituted phenylene-thienyl based conducting polymers have been synthesized where fluorine and alkoxy functionalities have been systematically incorporated into the phenylene moiety. The structures of the monomers and the polymers were confirmed by spectroscopy. Thin films were obtained by chemical and electrochemical deposition. The polymers demonstrated a wide variation of solubility, optical absorption, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical properties.