The effects of ester substition and alkyl chain length on the properties of poly(thiophene)s

Summary form only given. Propionic, iso-valeric, hexanoic, octanoic and decanoic esters of 2-(3-thienyl ethanol) were prepared. Oxidative polymerization of the alkyl ester substituted thiophenes were conducted with FeCl/sub 3/ to produce the corresponding alkyl ester substituted poly(thiophene)s. These ester modified poly(thiophene)s were soluble in THF, CHCl/sub 3/ and ethyl acetate. Blue shift of absorption maxima was observed for the ester substituted poly(thiophene)s when compared with POT. X-ray scattering studies of the cast film indicated the similar crystal packing as poly (alkylthiophene)s. All the ester modified poly(thiophenes) showed thermochromic and electrochromic properties. The effect of ester substitution and alkyl chain length in the side chain of poly(alkylthiophene)s on the properties will be discussed.