Redox properties of polythiaarene derivatives. A novel class of electron acceptors

A series of polythiaarene derivatives has been synthesised and their redox properties studied. The charge stabilizing effect of the aryl sulfide groups that surround the central aromatic core promotes nucleophilic substitution and markedly facilitates radical anion formation, leading to remarkably mild reduction potentials. Polythiaarene units may thus serve as electron accepting sites for the development of electron rich components for molecular electronic devices.