CO2-soluble semiconducting polymers synthesized in supercritical carbon dioxide

By modifying the side chain organization of substituted polythiophenes with fluoroalkyl esters, highly CO2-soluble conjugated polymers were obtained. The polymers were prepared by oxidative polymerization of 2-(3-thienyl)acetyl 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-1-octanate (SFTE) and 2-(3-thienyl)ethyl perfluorobutyrate (FTE) with FeCl3 in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) at 207 bar and 40 °C. The properties of polymers, such as yield, molecular weight, electrical conductivity, and UV–vis absorption, were investigated and compared with those prepared in chloroform. The polymers showed a good solubility in CO2 at moderate pressure and temperature with higher solubility of PSFTE than PFTE.