Optically active poly(1,4-di(2-thienyl)phenylene), poly(terthiophene), poly(bithiophene), and poly-(2,5-di(2-thienyl)pyridine) are successfully prepared by asymmetric electrochemical polymerization in a cholesteric electrolyte. The polymers thus synthesized are confirmed by polarizing optical microscopy to assume the doublespiral optical texture of the cholesteric liquid crystal electrolyte. In the reduced state, these polymers exhibit an intense Cotton effect in circular dichroism measurements. This optically active electrochromism is reversible by appropriate adjustment of applied voltage (redox state). Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate that poly-(2,5-di(2-thienyl)pyridine) has an electrochemical n-dopable property.
Abstract−Optically active poly(4,4'-di(2-furyl)biphenyl) is successfully prepared by asymmetric electrochemical polymerization in a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) electrolyte.The polymer thus obtained forms a fingerprint optical texture similar to that of the CLC electrolyte and a convexo-concave surface structure along the fingerprint pattern. The polymer displays iridescence under irradiation with white light, and circular diffraction upon laser irradiation.
We demonstrate electrochemical polymerization of an aromatic conjugated monomer in a macroscopically aligned nematic liquid crystal. This method is a combination of employment of liquid crystal for electrolyte solution, rubbing technique, and electropolymerization. The resulting polymer film shows linear dichroism and anisotropy. Polarizing optical microscopy reveals that the polymer film is uniformly ordered on a macroscopic scale. These results indicate that the conjugated main chains grow along a director of the aligned nematic liquid crystal solvent. Recently, many researchers have studied conjugated polymers for their applications as organic
1,4-Di(2-furyl)-2,5-substituted phenylenes were synthesized by a Stille crosscoupling reaction. Subsequently, these monomers were electrochemically polymerized in a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) electrolyte solution. The polymers thus prepared showed circular dichroism, birefringence, and a fingerprint texture similar to that of the CLC electrolyte. Furthermore, one of the polymers displayed selective reflection under illumination by a white light emitting diode.
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