Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Novel Polycyclopentadithiophene.

A novel π-conjugated polymer based on cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) and poly(4,4']-(((4cyclopenta[2,1-:3,4-']dithiophene-4,4-diyl)bis(ethane-2,1-diyl))bis(oxy))bis(4-oxobutanoic acid)) (PCPDT-COH) was prepared as a sparingly soluble material. The generation of hydroxyl radicals from PCPDT-COH in water was confirmed by using coumarin as a hydroxyl radical indicator. Furthermore, PCPDT-COH was found to catalyze the oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acid and the oxidation of benzaldehyde, indicating that PCPDT-COH can be a promising candidate for metal-free and 100% organic heterogeneous photocatalysts.