Poly(3-hexylthiophene) based block copolymers prepared by click chemistry

pi-Conjugated block copolymers have been prepared from terminal azide functionalized polystyrenes (PS) and alkyne functionalized poly (3-hexylthiophene)s (P3HT) via a copper(I) catalyzed Huisgen [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The functionalized alpha-azido-PS homopolymer was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization from a specifically designed initiator bearing the azide function, whereas omega-ethynyl-P3HT and a,alpha,omega-pentynyl-P3HT were synthesized by a modified Grignard metathesis polymerization using alkynyl Grignard derivatives. The electronic environment of the alkynyl end groups was shown to be decisive in determining triazole ring formation.