π‐Stacked Conjugated Polymers: The Influence of Paracyclophane π‐Stacks on the Redox and Optical Properties of a New Class of Broken Conjugated Polythiophenes

Abstract

Bis(3‐octyl‐2‐thienyl)‐[2.2]paracyclophane is subjected to oxidative polymerization to afford a soluble redox‐active polymer (see Figure) consisting of conjugated tetraarenes held in permanent cofacial stacks by cyclophane linkages. The influence of p‐stacking of the conjugated units along the polymer chain and the effect of stacking on the extended delocalization and conjugation of excitons and charge carrier is investigated.