Benzotrithiophene - A Planar, Electron-Rich Building Block for Organic Semiconductors

Several functionalized benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b′:5,6-d′′]trithiophenes have been synthesized and characterized. The fully planar and highly electron-rich material shows great promise as the donor constituent in donor−acceptor type copolymers for use in organic electronics. As a proof of concept, a copolymer with the electron acceptor, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, has been prepared. Side-chain modifications have been employed to adjust both the electron-rich character of the monomer and the solubility and processability of the polymer.