Electrochemical Polymerisation of N‐Arylated and N‐Alkylated EDOT‐Substituted Pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione (DPP) Derivatives: Influence of Substitution Pattern on Optical and Electronic Properties

Abstract
New pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione (DPP) derivatives carrying 3,4‐ethylenedioxy‐thiophenylphenyl (EDOT‐phenyl) substituent groups in the 3‐ and 6‐position, or in the 2‐ and 5‐position of the DPP chromophore were synthesised and electrochemically polymerised. The properties of the polymers were investigated using cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. It was found that the optical and electronic properties differ greatly between the two polymers. Materials with EDOT‐phenyl groups in the 3‐ and 6‐positions represent conjugated polymers with a low oxidation potential and reversible electrochromic properties, whereas the polymer with EDOT‐phenyl groups in the 2‐ and 5‐positions is non‐conjugated and possesses a high oxidation potential and irreversible redox behaviour. magnified image