Spectra and electrical properties of soluble partially alkyl-substituted oligomers of thiophene up to 11 rings

Abstract A series of strictly α, α′-coupled oligomers of thiophene containing 3,4,5,6,7,9, and 11 rings and provided with 0 to 5 side groups (n-butyl, n-dodecyl or tert-butyl) have been prepared and their melting points, solubilities in chloroform, UV-vis absorption and emission spectra of both solutions and solids, and conductivities after doping with iodine have been measured. The dependence of the conjugation length on the number of rings, and on the number, length, and position of side groups is discussed.