Polythiopene and its Derivatives

The electrochemical polymerization of thiophene is apparently rather similar to that of pyrrole and studies have been reported by Tourillon and Gamier133) and by Kaneto et al.134,135). Early studies are reviewed by Tourillon136). The oxidation potential of the monomer is significantly higher (1.6 V v SCE) than that of pyrrole and it might be expected that the more reactive cations would lead to greater structural irregularity in the polymer, which appears to be the case. 

An alternative way to get better structural regularity might be to begin with bithiophene or terthiophene where some of the inter-ring bonds in the polymer are formed before the polymerization and these monomers have lower oxidation potentials (thiophene 1.6 V, bithiophene 1.2 V and terthiophene 1.0 V v SCE). Polymerizations of both bithiophene 143) and terthiophene 144) have been described but there is some doubt about whether the polymers derived from oligomers are more regular or 

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