On the basis of preliminary DFT calculations, p-type semiconducting polymers based on 2,7-substituted xanthene building blocks that show a high degree of planarity were designed. The synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and theoretical modeling of 2,7-bis(thiophen-2-yl)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (1) and 2,7-bis(3-hexylthiophen-2-yl)-9,9-dimethylxanthene (2) is described. The synthetic procedure is based on the incorporation of thiophene rings by means of Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, which lead to monomers 1 and 2. Copolymers P1 and P2 obtained by means of anodic polymerization have been characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Electrochromism was observed for both polymers. The experimental data supported by density functional theory modeling explain the influence of alkyl chain substitution on the properties of the investigated copolymers.
Keywords: conducting materials; density functional calculations; electrochromic effect; polymers; xanthene.
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