Synthesis and characterization of three novel conjugated polythiophene derivatives

Abstract

Three soluble conjugated polythiophenes, poly[3-(cyclohexylidenemethyl)- thiophene] (PTC), poly[3-(4-piperidinemethylene)- thiophene] (PTN), and poly[3-(4-tetrahydropyranmethylene)-thiophene] (PTO) have been synthesized successfully in chloroform using FeCl3 as an oxidizing agent. In PTC, PTN, and PTO, substituted side-chains are connected with the polythiophene backbone through carbon-carbon double bond. While in the three polythiophenes, the significant difference is the substituent linked to the methylene effectively. Structures of the monomers and the corresponding soluble polymers were elucidated by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR. Average molecular weights have been determined by Gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Photoluminescence spectra and Ultraviolet-visible spectra of the three polythiophenes in both solution and solid state were also investigated, and all peaks were bathochromically shifted when they were measured in the solid state. In addition, the polymers were also characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 2012 Taylor & Francis.