Synthesis and properties of conjugated fluoroalkyl ether-substituted polythiophenes prepared in organic solvent and supercritical carbon dioxide

A number of new fluoroalkyl ether-containing polythiophenes are synthesized via oxidative polymerization in supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) and chloroform. In both cases, high-molecular-mass polymers with high yields are prepared. The properties of the polymers synthesized in scCO₂, such as molecular mass, polydispersity, conjugation, and UV absorption, are similar to the properties of the polymers obtained in chloroform. All poly(fluoroalkyl ether thiophenes) show solubility in DMF, toluene, THF, chloroform, and acetone. The glass-transition temperatures of the polymers are in the range 58–82°C, and the temperatures corresponding to 10% loss in their weight are in the ranges 248–294 and 260–303°C for poly(fluoroalkyl ether thiophenes) synthesized in scCO₂ and chloroform, respectively. All polymers fluoresce in the blue region with emission maxima at 506 to 526 nm. Because of the unique combination of fluoroalkyl and carbonyl groups, poly(fluoroalkyl ether thiophenes) feature good solubility in scCO₂, which is a promising alternative solvent for the oxidative polymerization of fluoroalkyl ether thiophenes.