Electropolymerizable terthiophene-terminated poly(aryl ether) dendrimers with naphthalene and perylene cores

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a new series of poly(aryl ether) dendrimers with both donor and acceptor moieties. By incorporating p-type terthiophene and n-type perylene and naphthalene diimides into one molecule, we have achieved a dual electrochromic material. These dendrimers were designed to act as electrochemically active precursor polymers, which bear the electroactive terthiophene group that can be cross-linked electrochemically to form conjugated polymer network (CPN) films. Characterization of the optical and redox properties shows that it is possible to incorporate donor and acceptor moieties in the same molecule with retention of doping properties. The films made by electrochemical polymerization are highly active in both the p- and n-doping processes and have been investigated by spectroelectrochemical methods.