Synthesis of soluble oligothiophenes bearing cyano groups, their optical and electrochemical properties

The synthesis and the characterization of twelve new soluble oligothiophenes possessing two to four 3 4-dicyanothiophene units in their backbone are described These semiconductors are prepared through stifle coupling and/or homo-coupling reactions Cyclic voltammetry studies have been performed to evaluate their stability as n-type semiconducting materials under ambient conditions The measured electrochemical and optical properties are fully supported by quantum-chemical calculations (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved