The synthesis, characterization, and structure-property relationships of regioregular 4,4'-dialkyl-2,2'-bithiazole oligomers and polymers

The 4,4'-dialkyl-2,2'-bithiazole moiety can be efficiently coupled to produce well-defined oligomers or block co-oligomers via Stille reactions of mono-bromo and tin substituted precursors. Dehalogenative polycondensations produce high molecular weight homo-polymers and Stille coupling of dibromo and di-tin monomers yields alternating copolymers. The symmetry of the bithiazole monomeric unit produces regioregular oligomers and polymers with the HH-TT dyad sequence. Model compound oligomers were synthesized and studied to explore the progression of structure property relationships with main chain extension. DSC measurements indicate the potential presence of at least three phases in solution cast thin films---the disordered isotropic melt, a stable low temperature morphology designated the alpha-phase, and a high temperature meta-stable morphology designated the beta-phase. Melt transition temperatures are inversely proportional to side alkyl chain length and directly proportional to main chain length and the interplay between the two effects greatly influences the observed thermochromism. Temperature dependent IR studies show an increase in the gauche conformations of the side chains at the low temperature alpha-beta phase transition and main chain twisting at the beta-isotropic transition. The onset of side chain and main chain motion at these phase transition temperatures was confirmed with variable temperature solid state NMR. Temperature dependent XRD results indicate the presence of a solid-to-solid crystal phase change at the low temperature transition followed by formation of preferred orientations of the beta and alpha ordered phases upon cooling from the isotropic melt. The solid-to-solid crystal phase transition is triggered by the increased motion of the side chains, and the magnitude of the intermolecular side chain packing forces dictate if the transitions occur cooperatively (observed isosbestic point) or as isolated events. Comparison with the 3-alkylthiophene series results have supported the proposal that alkyl chains of sufficient length begin to dominate and control the phase transition dynamics of these conjugated systems. Side chain and main chain packing forces lead to H-aggregation of the pi-stacked bithiazole structures and the observed UV/VIS spectra are interpreted within the exciton band model. The contributions of the excitonic/vibronic coupling and Davydov splitting of the electronic energy levels are evaluated and computational calculations aid and support the interpretation of experimental results.