Synthesis of dithieno[3,2-b:2',3' d]pyrrole-based diarylethylenes as polymer precursors

ORGN 464

Sean J. Evenson, sean.evenson@ndsu.edu, Adam R. Wohl, adam.wohl@ndsu.edu, and Seth C. Rasmussen, seth.rasmussen@ndsu.edu. Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105
Polythiophenes are a class of conjugated polymers having good environmental stability and, due to their ease of synthetic modification, are thought to be one of the most versatile of this class of polymers. Recently a new class of such modified polythiophene materials utilizing fused-ring dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrroles (DTPs) have been shown to exhibit improved electronic and optical properties in comparison to the parent polymer. Another successful approach to the synthetic modification of conjugated polymers has been the addition of ethylene units to the polymer backbone, which results in a lowering of the polymer band gap. In order to combine these two successful approaches to improved conjugated materials, DTP-based diarylethylene oligomers are being investigated as potential polymer precursors. The synthesis and characterization of the oligomeric diarylethylenes will be presented along with initial polymerization studies.