Synthesis, characterization and electrochromic properties of novel redox triarylamine-based aromatic polyethers with methoxy protecting groups

Five novel triphenylamine derivatives with two silyl ether protecting groups were readily synthesized and further underwent silyl polycondensation to obtain novel electro-active aromatic polyethers. These polymers exhibited high optical transparency, were colourless, were soluble in many organic solvents, and had useful levels of thermal stability associated with moderately high glass-transition temperatures and char yields. These anodically polymeric electrochromic materials displayed highly reversible electrochemical and electrochromic behaviour, with interesting and useful multi-colour changes related to their different oxidation stages.