Substituted polythiophenes : effect of substituent and regiochemistry on physical properties

Summary form only given. A range of substituted poly(2,5-thienytene)s (polythiophenes) has been synthesised, which contain straight chain alkyl and/or functionalised substituents. Polythiophenes have been chemically synthesised, via known methodology, to consist almost exclusively of head-to-tail coupling (´regioregular´) and are compared against those synthesised by standard chemical means. The effect of the substituent and the polymer structure on electroluminescence, order, material properties and other physical properties is described.