POLYTHIOPHENE FUNCTIONALIZATION BY AN INTERTWINED COMPLEX OF COPPER

The 2,9-bis(p-(2-thien-3-yl)ethan-1-oxy)phenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ligand, L, has been synthesized by condensation of 2,9-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline with the tosylate derivative of (thien-3-yl)-2-ethanol in DMF/K2CO3 medium. The intertwined complex of Cu+, (CuL2)+, is characterized by NMR and by cyclic voltammetry. Electropolymerization of this complex is less efficient than in the pyrrolic series. Nevertheless, the modified electrodes so obtained exhibit the electroactivity of both the thiophenic matrix and the metallic centre. The Cu(II)/Cu(I) system and polymeric matrix electroactivities present very few overlap. These films are irreversibly chemically demetalated. Doping levels are in the range of 13 % in agreement with those observed in the poly(3-alkylthiophene) series.