Multichannel transport in conjugated polymers based on through-space conjugated naphthalene

Abstract

Through-bond conjugated rod-like molecules are the major frameworks for traditional conjugated polymers, while through-space conjugated groups are rarely utilized in the construction of conjugated polymer backbones. Herein, we report a series of oligomers consisting of thiophene/EDOT and naphthalene featuring through-bond or through-space conjugation. The structure–property relationships and electropolymerized performances of the oligomers and the effect of through-space conjugation on the properties of polymers are fully investigated. The crystal structures and theoretical calculations show that through-bond and through-space conjugations are integrated into one single molecule, allowing for two transport channels in conjugated polymers, which is beneficial for improving the redox activity and stability. The multichannel transport by integrating through-bond and through-space conjugations could be an effective strategy for robust conjugated polymers.