Transition-metal-free synthesis of alternating thiophene-perfluoroarene copolymers.

The fluoride-activated coupling between silyl-functionalized thiophene monomers and perfluoroarenes leads to moderately high-molecular-weight alternating copolymers in excellent yields and high chemical purity. The method bypasses transition-metal catalysis and the associated need for perfluoroarenes carrying additional functional "handles". Small-molecule model studies provide insight into the relative reactivities of functional groups in this synthetic pathway.