Designing a Soluble PEDOT Analogue without Surfactants or Dispersants

Copolymerization of alkoxy-functionalized 3,4-propylenedioxythiophenes (ProDOTs) with unfunctionalized 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophenes (EDOTs) in varying ratios using direct arylation yields a series of solution processable polymers with highly tunable optical and electronic properties. Within this series, we have identified ProDOT–EDOT2, a copolymer containing 67% EDOT compositionally, that combines the low oxidation potential, the redox behavior, and the deep-blue neutral color that are characteristic of PEDOT with the high solubility, exceptional electrochromic contrast, and color neutrality in the oxidized state characteristic of alkoxy-functionalized PProDOTs.