Regioselective polymerization of poly(3-alkylthiophene) with FeCl/sub 3/

Summary form only given. We have found that it is possible to prepare stereoregular poly(3-(4-octylphenyl)thiophene) by FeCl/sub 3/ oxidation of the monomer. By adding FeCl/sub 3/ slowly to the monomer solution the yield of regular polymer increases. Slow addition of FeCl/sub 3/ result in a lower and more constant oxidatiori potential during the whole polymerization process. By /sup 1/H NMR spectroscopy we have determined the head to tail content to 93/spl plusmn/2%. It has been said in the literature that polymerization only works then solid FeCl/sub 3/ are present. We have found that it is possible to polymerize alkylthiophene without solid FeCl/sub 3/.