Poly (3-substituted) thiophenes electroactive in water

Three thiophene rings bearing n-ethoxy arylsulfonamide pendant groups were synthesized and their electropolymerization was performed at a platinum ele ctrode. The electrochemical behaviour of the polythiophene matrix was studi ed both in organic and in aqueous solvent. If all polymers present a revers ible n- and p-doping process in organic solvents, only one of them particul arly possess a reversible p-doping in aqueous media. This phenomenon was sh own to be directly related to the nature of the spacer between the thiophen e ring and the aryl sulfonamide unit. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.