What Limits the Molecular Weight and Controlled Synthesis of Poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s?

Polytellurophenes are an emerging class of conjugated polymers; however, their controlled polymerization leading to high molecular weight materials has been a major challenge. Here we present a systematic investigation of the synthesis of poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s using the catalyst transfer polycondensation methodology. Learning that previous syntheses were limited by both polymerization reaction kinetics and polymer solubility, we design new tellurophene monomers to overcome these limitations. Controlled polymerization behavior up to Mn = 25 kDa, chain extension, block copolymerization, external initiation, and well-defined end groups are demonstrated for poly(3-alkyltellurophene)s with …