Electrochemical behavior of self-assembled monolayers based on functionalized oligothiophenes

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 6-(2,2':5',2''-terthien-5yl)- hexanethiol (α3T-hex-SH) have been prepared onto platinum substrates. The anodic oxidation of the monolayer effects a polymerisation of the monolayer. The conjugation length of the polymer is significantly higher than that of the terthiophene-derivative, although a major part of the terminal CH-α bonds of the terthiophenes are still available for reactions with other monomers. This suggests a contribution of the aromatic CH-β positions at the formation of the conjugated polymer.