Thiophene-based ionic liquids: Synthesis, physical properties, self-assembly, and oxidative polymerization

Preparation and polymerization of methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) that incorporate a thiophene moiety at the terminus of a C₁₀ alkyl chain are described. Both a bromide and nitrate salt of the amphiphilic thiophene IL self-assembles in water (albeit the nitrate to a lesser extent), adopting columnar mesophases. Polarized optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies show that at low water content the IL-water binary mixtures form liquid crystalline mesophases possessing significant short-range ordering due to strong p interactions between adjacent thiophene moieties. At higher water content, the short-range ordering is lost, but long-range ordering persists up to ca. 45% (w/w) water. The chemical oxidative coupling of the nitrate monomer yields a highly water-soluble polymer. Electrochemical studies show that the polymer possesses a high oxidation potential (1.95 V) and thus, is resistant to chemical doping. In dilute aqueous solution, electronic absorption spectroscopy and X-ray scattering show the polymer adopts a random, coil-like conformational state. Slight improvement in the polymer conformation can be achieved by exchange of the counter anion.