Toward highly fluorescent polythiophenes: head-to-tail coupled copolymers of 3-(methoxyethoxyethoxymethyl)thiophene and 3-(perfluoroalkyl)thiophene

The introduction of stiff, polyfluorinated side-chains onto regioregular polymers and copolymers of thiophene could lead to highly luminescent materials. Additionally, this class of conjugated polymers could self-assemble by the fluorophobic effect, leading to interesting new materials. The synthesis and characterization of these polymers is presented. Initial results indicate that these polythiophenes are highly fluorescent relative to poly(3-alkylthiophenes).