A Multipotent Precursor Approach for the Preparation of High-Molecular Weight Conjugated Polymers with Redox Active Units

Conjugated polymers have long been recognized as key materials in organic electronics, yet, in many instances, their processability remains challenging due to their inherent poor solubility and limited polymerization degrees, which limit the scope of several materials in device fabrication. In this study, a multipotent precursor strategy is introduced that enables the synthesis of high-molecular-weight conjugated materials incorporating either anthracene or anthraquinone units from a single precursor. These latter, based on 9,10-dihydroanthracene units, can be polymerized to high polymerization degrees and possess high solubility and processability, thanks to the flexibility of the main chain and the presence of sacrificial side chains. Different post-polymerization transformations allow the selective generation of conjugated polymers, preserving the polymerization degree and generating, from an identical precursor, different conjugated polymers characterized by a different chemical nature and different electronic characteristics. Remarkably, these transformations can also be performed on the precursors in the solid state without affecting drastically their morphology. Finally, the potential of this methodology is demonstrated in the fabrication of organic field-effect transistors and organic cathodes for potassium-ion batteries.