Synthesis of donor–acceptor conjugated polymers based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole via direct arylation polycondensation: towards efficient C–H activation in nonpolar solvents

Abstract

This article describes the synthesis of donor–acceptor (D–A) type copolymers based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole via direct-arylation cross-coupling polycondensation. To achieve high performance polymerization, we have systematically investigated the reaction factors including catalysts, solvents, ligands, bases, additives, concentration of reactants and phase transfer agents. In particular, 1,2-dimethylbenzene (ODMB), as a nonpolar high boiling point solvent, is a superior medium to perform this direct-arylation polymerization. In this nonpolar aromatic solvent, Pd₂dba₃/(o-MeOPh)₃P, accompanied with a base potassium carbonate and an additive pivalic acid, serves as an efficient catalyst system to obtain high-quality polymers. Our optimized condition gave the polymer with a weight-average molecular weight (M_w) as high as 60 kg mol⁻¹ in nearly quantitative yield and excellent C–H selectivity.