Synthesis of new conducting poly(2,5‐thienylene)s containing alkylhydroxy and alkylester side chains

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Abstract
The chemical synthesis of new electroconducting poly(2,5‐thienylene)s containing alkylhydroxy and alkylester side‐chains in the β‐position of the thiophene rings is reported. The polymers were obtained by oxidative homopolymerization or copolymerization of 2‐(3‐thienyl)ethanol and 2‐(3‐thienyl)ethyl hexanoate by FeCl3 in nitromethane. Structural characterization using elemental analysis, FT‐IR and NMR spectroscopy shows that a partial nucleophilic substitution of the hydroxy group by chlorine and a partial cleavage of the ester function take place during polymerization. The presence of the ester function with a long aliphatic chain makes the polymers soluble and allows them to be processed into films. The polymers can be doped using a solution of FeCl3 to the maximum electrical conductivity of 10−3 Ω−1 cm−1.