Synthesis of poly(3-phenyl-2,5-thiophene) by nickel-catalyzed coupling polymerization of 3-phenyl-2,5-dichlorothiophene

Poly (3-phenyl-2,5-thiophene) with inherent viscosities up to 0.50 dl-g −1 was obtained under mild conditions. The effects of various factors, such as amount of catalyst and ligand, reaction medium, and reaction temperature, were studied. 13 C NMR spectroscopy showed that the polymer obtained had the expected structure without mislinkage through the β-position and the random structure on regiospecificity. The polymer was readily soluble in common organic solvents and can be processed into uniform films from their solution. The thermogravimetry of the polymer showed 10% weight loss at 550 and 570°C in air and in nitrogen, respectively