A formal preparation of regioregular and alternating thiophene−thiophene copolymers bearing different substituents

Abstract

Differently substituted thiophene−thiophene alternating copolymer was formally synthesized employing a halobithiophene as a monomer. Nickel-catalyzed polymerization of bithiophene, which substituent at the 3-position involves alkyl, fluoroalkyl, or oligosiloxane containing alkyl group, afforded the corresponding copolymer in good to excellent yield. The solubility test to organic solvents was performed to reveal several copolymers show a superior solubility. X-ray diffraction analysis of the thin film of the alternating copolymer composed of methyl and branched oligosiloxane substituents was also performed and found that the film suggested formation of dual-layered structure.