Substituent effects on the electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of conjugated furanylphenylene polymers

Abstract

A series of 1,4-bis(2-furanyl)benzenes, substituted at the 2 and 5 positions of the benzene ring with methyl, methoxy, and heptoxy groups, has been synthesized and electropolymerized. Spin density calculations of monomer radical cations show relatively high spin densities on the external α positions of the furan rings. These polymers exhibit conductivities of 10 -1 -10 0 S/cm when electrochemically oxidized in the presence of ClO 4 - . Cyclic voltammetry of the polymers has revealed redox states with E 1/2 potentials ranging from 0.43 to 0.56 V vs Ag/Ag + (+0.34 V vs SCE) which are dependent on the nature of the substituent