Synthesis of di-block copolymers containing regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly(tetrahydrofuran) by a combination of grignard metathesis and cationic polymerizations

Abstract

Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(tetrahydrofuran) was synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) using a poly(3-hexylthiophene) macroinitiator.Poly(3-hexylthiophene) macroinitiator used for the ring-opening polymerization of THF was synthesized by reacting the hydroxypropyl end-group with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride in the presence of 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine. 1H NMR spectroscopy and SEC data confirmed the formation of the di-block copolymers. Field-effect mobility of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(tetrahydrofuran) was measured in a thin-film transistor configuration and was found to be 0.009 cm2. V -1. s-1. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.