Synthesis and characterization of low bandgap poly(dithienosilole vinylene) derivatives

Two low bandgap conjugated polymers containing vinylene unit on their main chains, poly(dithienosilole vinylene) derivatives P1 and P2, were synthesized by Pd-catalyzed Stille-coupling method. The two polymers show good solubility in common organic solvents, broad absorption bands from 500 nm to 700 nm and lower energy bandgap of 1.72 eV for P1 and 1.77 eV for P2. The electronic energy levels of the polymers were measured by electrochemical cyclic voltammetry. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of P1 and P2 are at −5.03 eV, −5.18 eV and −3.39 eV, −3.43 eV, respectively. The polymers P1 and P2 containing dithienosilole units show lower HOMO and LUMO energy levels, in comparison with other poly(thienylene vinylene) derivatives.