Reactive groups on polymer-coated electrodes, 9 - New electroactive polythiophenes with epoxy and cyclic carbonate groups

Two new functionalized thiophene derivatives bearing epoxy and carbonate gr oups were synthesized. The electrooxidative polymerization of both monomers led to stable electroactive polymers, while the functional groups remained unchanged during the polymerization process. Electrochemical rind spectros copic data of the resulting homopolymers reveal that these polymers possess an extended conjugated pi-electron system comparable to unfunctionalized p oly(3-alkylthiophene)s. Both monomers can also easily copolymerize with 3-m ethylthiophene to form the corresponding conducting copolymers. SEM photogr aphs show that the obtained homopolymers and copolymers exhibit a very comp act homogeneous morphology, indicating that the new thiophene monomers have good formability of polymer films. The measurement of electrical conductiv ity of these polymers by means of two-probe method gave values in the range of 10(-2) to 10(-1) S.cm(-1). Using butylamine and 2-aminoanthraquinone as model compounds, it was demonstrated that amino compounds easily react wit h pendant epoxy and cyclic carbonate groups and are convalently attached to the new electroactive polymer surfaces. Thus, a new type of conducting pol ymers with pendant reactive groups was developed.