The synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(isothianaphthene) derivative: poly(5,6-dihexoxyisothianaphthene)

Poly(5,6-dihexoxyisothianaphthene) (PDHOITN) is synthesized by introducing hexoxy groups on 5 and 6 positions on the repeat unit of poly(isothianaphth ene) (PITN) in order to improve its solubility and processability. The PDHO ITN film has a band gap of about 0.95 eV and exhibits a high contrast and r eversible color change from bluish black at the neutral state to transparen t light yellow (close to colorless) at the doped state. Both the neutral an d doped states of this polymer can be dissolved in common organic solvents and cast into free standing film. After doping with ferric chloride, the co nductivity of the film increases 5 x 10(-5) to 2 X 10(-2) S/cm. (C) 1999 El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.