Direct (Hetero)arylation Polymerization: An Effective Route to 3,4-Propylenedioxythiophene-Based Polymers with Low Residual Metal Content

We report the use of direct (hetero)­arylation polymerizations (DHAP) as a means of obtaining 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene-based conjugated polymers for use in electrochromics. This method offers a rapid route to achieving polymers in high yields with simplified purification procedures and low residual metal content, as determined by inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The studied polymers possess comparable electrochromic properties to those previously reported by our group, implying that their switching ability from a colored to a transmissive state is independent of the residual metallic impurities.