Synthesis and Characterization of Conjugated, n-Dopable, Bithiazole-Containing Polymers

Three polymers, poly(4,4‘-dinonyl-5,5‘-bithiazole-2,2‘-diyl- co -5- tert- butylphenylene-1,3-diyl) (PBBNBT), poly(4,4‘-bis( p -dodecylphenyl)-2,2‘-bithiazole-5,5‘-diyl) (PDPBT), and poly(4,4‘-dinonyl-2,2‘-bithiazole-5,5‘-diyl- co -ethynylene) (PENBT), have been synthesized. These polymers illustrate the ability to tune polymer properties around a specific chromophore, in this case the bithiazole ring system. Alterations of optical properties and solid-state morphology have been made while the electrochemical behavior characteristic of the bithiazoles, i.e., reversible reduction near −2.0 V and n-dopability resulting in conductivities around 10 2 S/cm, has been maintained. All three polymers have also been used as the emitting layer in polymer-based LEDs.