New EDOT–SQ systems for electrochromic applications†
Abstract
A facile and efficient Pd-based Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction leading to a new type of mono- and disubstituted unsaturated EDOT derivative is presented. The reaction products were used in the formation of mono- and bis-functionalized silsesquioxanes (SQ) with a chromophore group covalently bound to T8 and double-decker cores. These novel generations of EDOT–SQ precursors with many potential applications were studied in terms of their optical properties, electrochemical behaviour and electropolymerization ability as well as electrochromic properties.