Interchain interactions in poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)s and the effect of substituents on aggregation

Abstract

Two poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)s [PBDTs] with linear and branched substituents have been synthesized as freely soluble polymers using Colon/Kelsey and Suzuki polymerizations (M_n = 6.6–12.7 kDa, DP: 15–29). Polymers with linear substituents show effects due to increased polymer aggregation as evidenced bathochromic spectral bands. The electrochemical results also show the influence of interchain interactions where the aggregate of the linear derivative has oxidative processes at 0.5 V lower potentials than the branched derivative.