The bromine doping of polyacetylene

The original experiment of the bromine doping of polyacetylene performed by Chiang and Shirakawa is described. This simple, seminal experiment impacted physics and chemistry through the discovery of metallic conducting synthetic organic polymers and the verification and demonstration of the doping concept in organic polymers. Although the molecular formula of polyacetylene is simple, this molecule exhibits complex behavior and fueling significant work not only in polymer science, but also in quantum physics. The soliton theories used to describe polyacetyleneʹs simple but unique 1-D structure inspired many new quantum concepts for more complicated conducting polymers. The continuing study of model complex conducting polymers could lead to a better understanding of quantum electronic devices at the molecular level