Synthesis and properties of liquid crystaline polythiophene derivatives

Novel conjugated polymers, liquid crystalline (LC) polythiophene (PT) derivatives, were synthesized by introducing LC substituents into the 3-position of thiophene rings, to allow anisotropies in both electrical and optical properties. The polymers showed monotropic smectic phase in the cooling process. Orientation of the polymers through rubbing treatment under LC temperature gave macroscopically aligned films. Measurements of electrical conductivities of aligned films resulted in anisotropies with ratios of 4100.