Conducting Polymers and Monomers

Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) are polymers with extended π-conjugation along the molecular backbone, and their conductivity can be changed by several orders of magnitude from a semiconducting state to a metallic state by doping. Usually p-doping is achieved by partial oxidation of the polymer by a chemical oxidant or an electrochemical method, and causes depopulation of the bonding π orbital (HOMO) with the formation of “holes”.¹ In addition to applications in organic printable electronics, such as OLEDs and OPVs, ICPs find use in charge dissipating (antistatic) layers, conducting composites, and chemical sensor research. In this section of the catalog ICPs are grouped into major chemical classes proved to be useful in research and engineering. Additional ICP monomers are listed in the Synthetic Tools and Regents section.

References
1. MacDiarmid, A.G. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 40, 2581 (2001).