Processable low band gap pi-conjugated polymer, poly(isothianaphthene): Its synthesis and reaction mechanism

Stable solution of the low band gap conducting polymer, polyisothianaphthene(PITN), is prepared by dehydrogenation of its precursor polymer, poly(1,3-dihydroisothianaphthene), with sulfuryl chloride under precisely controlled reaction condition and addition of the stabilizing agent, pyridine. This stable PITN solution can be cast into film. Structure characterization of the intermediate and final products indicates that the PITN structure is accomplished by propagation of the dimer structure (structure 2), <GRAPHICS> accompanying with the generation on the structure detects, benzylchloride bonds and chlorine doped species. Through this intermediate analysis, a dehydrogenattion mechanism is proposed.