Cyclic voltammetry studies of n-type polymers with non-alternant fluoranthene units

Abstract

Poly(p-fluoranthenevinylenes) and their dithiocarbamate precursors have been deposited on indium-tin oxide electrodes and electrochemical properties of the obtained films have been investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry studies in acetonitrile solutions containing 0.1 M (n-C4H9)(4)NBF4 as supporting electrolyte. It has been found that: all investigated polymers display well pronounced n-doping processes. Electrochemical reduction of the dithiocarbamate precursors seems robe associated with C-S bond cleavage with elimination of -SC(S)N(C2H5)(2) group. In view of UV-vis spectroscopic data the obtained products, tentatively identified as polymers containing fluoranthene units connected by -CH2-CH2- bridges, are somewhat less conjugated than the corresponding poly(p-fluoranthenevinylenes). Reversible electrochemical reduction of poly(p-fluoranthenethanes) occurs at potentials only somewhat (ca. 0.1 V) more negative as found for their poly(p-fluoranthenevinylenes) analogues suggesting relatively weak coupling between fluoranthene kernels in both kinds of investigated polymers. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.