STRATEGIES FOR SYNTHESIZING CONDUCTING POLYMERS

The synthesizing of polymers containing conjugated -C = C- bonds begins with oxidative coupling, which in the early 60s developed through the different stages of polyaromatics and polyheteroaromatics to culminate in metal-like conducting polymers. Subsequent investigations embrace Wittig, Ziegler-Natta reactions, cyclo-condensations and the formation of charge-transfer complexes, e.g. of polyaromatics and the electropolymerization of various heterocycles. Complex formation has been found to dramatically increase electrical conductivity. The electrochemical polymerization offers the possibility of the incorporation of specific counterions (active agents) and releasing those definitely. The orientation is responsible for another surprising improvement yielding higher conductivities. Properties and correlations between the (CH)x preparation technique and elongation properties are demonstrated.