Design of a series of polythiophenes containing C60 groups: Synthesis and optical and electrochemical properties

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ma501788d

(Figure Presented) In order to develop polymers combining both acceptor and donor moieties, a series of alternating copolymers based on C₆₀ fullerene and oligothiophenes were synthesized. First, a diamino-functionalized fullerene was obtained by a three-step modification of 4,4′-diaminobenzophenone, followed by a Bamford - Stevens addition on C₆₀. A series of oligo-3-alkylthiophenes O3AT, with various polymer and alkyl chains lengths, were synthesized using the Grignard metathesis method and dicarbonylated by Vilsmeier formylation. Alternating copolymers [C₆₀-O3AT]_n were finally obtained by polycondensation, taking a specific care concerning synthesis conditions in order to optimize polymerization degrees. Nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and thermogravimetric analysis were achieved in order to determine the structure of each copolymers. In addition, their functional properties (UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence, and electronic levels) were measured and related to the ascertained average compositions.