Role of silicon in polymer synthesis: activation of the oxidative coupling of thiophene by trimethylsilyl substituents; a route to high molecular weight poly(3-alkyl)thiophene

Abstract

The role of silyl substituents in the anodic polymerization of thiophene has been studied. The oxidative polymerization reaction is activated by the presence of trimethylsilyl groups. In order to obtain polymer of high molecular weight and low polydispersity, two such trimethylsilyl substituents in the 2,5-positions of the thiophene ring were found to be necessary.