Catalytic oxidative polymerization of thiophene derivatives

The oxidative polymerization of thiophene derivatives was carried out using palladium (II) acetate as a catalyst in combination with copper (II) acetate and trifluoroacetic acid under an oxygen atmosphere. The poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) obtained through palladium-catalyzed polymerization exhibited a richer head-to-head content than authentic P3HT prepared using a conventional oxidant, and the maximum absorption and luminescence wavelengths of the P3HT were blue-shifted to 338 and 534 nm in the ultraviolet and photoluminesce spectra, respectively. The palladium-catalyzed oxidative polymerization process was applied to 3,4-disubstituted thiophene monomers. 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene in aqueous media was also polymerized using poly(styrenesulfonic acid). The oxidative polymerization mechanism in the palladium system is discussed. The oxidative polymerization of thiophene derivatives were carried out using palladium (II) acetate as a catalyst in the combination with copper (II) acetate and trifluoroacetic acid under oxygen atmosphere. The poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) obtained by palladium catalyzed polymerization showed that head-to-head content was richer than authentic one prepared by a conventional oxidant, and that maximum absorption, and luminescence wavelengths of the P3HT are blue-shifted to 338 and 534 nm in ultraviolet and photoluminescence spectra, respectively. The catalytic system was also applied for the polymerization of 3,4-disubstituted thiophene monomers.