A new crown ether-functionalized conjugated polymer for an electrochemically switchable cation recognition

A new compound consisting of two 3-thienyl units linked together by a crown ether functionality has been synthesized and its electrochemical behavior has been investigated in CH3CN. Its electropolymerization was found to cons ume four electrons per molecule. which is in agreement with a reaction invo lving both aromatic groups. The electroactive properties of this polymer we re characterized by two stable p- and n-doped states. the redox potentials of which were shifted in the presence of K+ as a guest cation. (C) 2000 Els evier Science S.A. All rights reserved.