Rod-like tetrathiafulvalene polymers with extended pi-conjugation

Rigid-rod type tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) polymers with exocyclic double bond s were prepared via a precursor route. The processable precursor polymers w hich contain hexathio-ortho-oxalate repeat units undergo thermal extrusion of dimethyldisulfide and result in target structures with extended pi -conj ugation. The extrusion must be carefully monitored to obtain structurally d efined products. Doping of the resulting polymers with iodine shows conduct ivities which compare favorably with those of other electrically conducting polymers such as, e.g. polyacetylene and polythiophene. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.