π-stacked conjugated polymers:: The influence of paracyclophane π-stacks on the redox and optical properties of a new class of broken conjugated polythiophenes

Bis(3-octyl-2-thienyl)-[2.2]paracyclophane is subjected to oxidative polymerization to afford a soluble redox-active polymer (see Figure) consisting of conjugated tetraarenes held in permanent cofacial stacks by cyclophane linkages. The influence of p-stacking of the conjugated units along the polymer chain and the effect of stacking on the extended delocalization and conjugation of excitons and charge carrier is investigated.