Soluble phenylenedioxythiophene copolymers via direct (hetero)arylation polymerization: a revived monomer for organic electronics

Abstract

Dioxyheterocycles, particularly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), have proven to be useful building blocks for conjugated materials targeting various applications. The 3,4-phenylenedioxythiophene (PheDOT) unit is similar to the EDOT unit in terms of planarity and steric interactions, but has different electronic properties because of the attached phenyl ring. This unit has been incorporated into soluble alternating copolymers for the first time via direct (hetero) arylation polymerization (DHAP). These polymers are effective electrochromes with vibrantly colored charge neutral states and colorless, transmissive oxidized states. Spray cast films are highly stable to redox switching, showing only a 1% decrease in contrast after 2000 switches without film encapsulation.