Synthesis and self-assembly of a chiral alternating sexithiophene-undeca(ethyleneoxy) block copolymer

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistry Vol. 41; no. 11; pp. 1737 - 1743
• Main Authors: Henze, Oliver, Fransen, Michel, Jonkheijm, Pascal, Meijer, E. W., Feast, W. James, Schenning, Albertus P. H. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-06-2003; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; block copolymers; conjugated polymers; Exact sciences and technology; oligomers; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers with particular properties; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; self-assembly; synthesis; synthesis; block copolymers; Solution polycondensation; Self condensation; oligomers; Ether copolymer; Chiral compound; Thiophene copolymer; Ethylene oxide copolymer; Experimental study; Organic solution; self-assembly; Optically active copolymer; Ester copolymer; Preparation; Soluble compound; Molecular aggregation; conjugated polymers
• ISSN: 0887-624X; 1099-0518
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.10720

An oligothiophene/chiral oligo(ethyleneoxy) block copolymer (PolyT6) has been synthesized in which a sexithiophene block alternates with a well‐defined chiral undeca(ethyleneoxy) block. The polymer shows good solubility in chloroform, and ultraviolet–visible studies in this solvent reveal a spectrum similar to that of the chirally substituted monomeric sexithiophene (T6) analogue. The aggregation of PolyT6 occurs in dioxane; however, no helicity is present in this aggregate, in contrast to aggregated T6. This behavior illustrates that although the processability and mechanical robustness of block copolymers may be superior to those of analogous oligomers, the degree of self‐assembled order found in oligomer‐based systems may be lost in the polymers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1737–1743, 2003
An oligothiophene/chiral oligo(ethyleneoxy) block copolymer (PolyT6) has been synthesized in which a sexithiophene block alternates with a well‐defined chiral undeca(ethyleneoxy) block. The aggregation of PolyT6 occurs in dioxane; however, no helicity is present in this aggregate. This behavior illustrates that although the processability and mechanical robustness of block copolymers may be superior to those of analogous oligomers, the degree of self‐assembled order found in oligomer‐based systems may be lost in the polymers.