Microwave-assisted synthesis of polythiophenes via the Stille coupling

Microwave radiation has been employed to synthesise soluble polythiophenes 1-4 via the Stille coupling, resulting in the preparation of polythiophene 1 with higher molecular weights (M-n > 15,000) and a lower polydispersity (M-w/M-n approximate to 2) than when synthesised using conventional heating. Field-effect mobilities of greater than 3 x 10(-2) cm(2)/V s were measured for polymer I in an organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) device. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.