The oligomeric approach – the electrochemistry of conducting polymers in the light of recent research

Electrochemical investigations on oligomeric model compounds (β-carotenoids) of polyacetylene varying the chain length in the range between 5 and 23 double bonds provide deeper insights into the redox properties of such systems. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetric studies of α,ω-diphenylpolyenes and phenylenevinylenes give clear evidence that the formation of the radical ions is followed by a rapid reversible dimerization between the oligomeric chains. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the chemical reaction are presented. Applying these results to the properties of conducting polymers opens up new perspectives for interpreting charge storage and conductivity. Received: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 6 October 1997