Water-compatible electrogenerated poly(thiophenes) derived from linked EDOT-based bithiophenic precursors

A series of functional poly(thiophenes) has been synthesized by electropolymerization of precursors consisting of two 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene containing bithiophenes linked together by octyl, linear polyether and polythioether chains attached at their internal β-position. The electropolymerization of these precursors has been investigated in potentiodynamic and potentiostatic conditions and the electrochemical behaviour of the resulting polymers has been analyzed in organic and aqueous media in the presence of various metal cations.