Polymerization of substituted dithieno[3,4-b:3ʹ,4ʹ-d]thiophenes

Alkyl substituted dithieno[3,4-b:3ʹ,4ʹ-d]thiophenes are subject to electrooxidative polymerization to afford electronically conductive polymer films. Whereas the parent fused heterocycle has four α-thienyl positions through which polymerization can occur, disubstituted monomers afford well-defined polymer structures. The 2,5-dioctyl analog is soluble in common organic solvents.