Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties of new functional polythiophenes

Novel fully soluble polythiophene derivatives containing halogen or ester moieties at the end of a tetramethylenic side chain were synthesized using either the direct oxidative polymerization procedure of functionalized thiophene or the post polymerization functionalization of the preformed polymeric precursor. The structures of the polymers were characterized and their physical properties carefully investigated. High average molecular weights ( M ¯ n up to 30,550 g/mol) and thermostable products were obtained. The absorption wavelength of the polymers in different solvents can be tuned up by varying the composition of solvent mixtures. Cyclic voltammetry measurements displayed good charge transport properties, strongly related to the kind of substituent linked to the side chain.