Air‐tolerant poly(3‐hexylthiophene) synthesis via catalyst‐transfer polymerization

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AbstractThe discovery of catalyst‐transfer polymerization and its further developments have led to unprecedented control over the length and sequence of conjugated polymers. However, the methods themselves are technically challenging to perform due to the air‐ and moisture‐sensitivities of the monomers and catalysts. Herein, we report a catalyst‐transfer polymerization method that affords poly(3‐hexylthiophene) in high yields without using an inert atmosphere. The synthesis capitalizes on a rapid Negishi cross‐coupling using a moisture‐tolerant organozinc monomer mediated by an air‐stable Pd precatalyst. This simple method should make conjugated polymer synthesis more accessible to a broader range of researchers and may be generalizable to other monomer scaffolds.