Tuning of the neutral state color of the π-conjugated donor–acceptor–donor type polymer from blue to green via changing the donor strength on the polymer

Two donor–acceptor–donor types of π-conjugated monomers were synthesized using Stille coupling reaction. Both monomers were found to produce electroactive polymers upon electrochemical oxidation. The effects of different donor substituents on the polymersʹ electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties were examined. Optical characterization revealed that the band gaps of poly(2-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-3-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-7-yl)-5,8-di(thiophen-2-yl)quinoxaline) (PDBQTh) and poly(2-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-3-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-7-yl)-5-(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-8-(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-7-yl)quinoxaline) (PDBQEd) were 1.5 eV and 1.3 eV, respectively. PDBQEd reveals two distinct absorption bands as expected for this type of donor–acceptor–donor polymer at 423 and 738 nm, while PDBQTh has a single absorption band at 630 nm. The colorimetry analysis revealed that while PDBQTh has a blue color, PDBQEd showed a green color in the neutral state. PDBQEd revealed reversible n-doping.