Chemical synthesis of polymers containing N-ethyl-3.7-phenothiazinediyl groups

Poly(N-ethyl 3.7-phenothiazinediyl) (1) and poly (N-ethyl 3.7-phenothiazinediyl-co-acetylene) (2) were synthesized by homo- and copolycondensation of 3.7-dibromo N-ethylphenothiazine and 1.2-dibromoethene using a Grignard reaction and NiCl2 or NiCl2.2PPh3 as catalyst. Polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and after doping with iodine have an electrical conductivity of 10−7 −10−6 $$\Omega ^{ - 1} $$ cm−1.