Thienyl and thenyl alkyl disulfides: monomers and polymers

Thienyl and thenyl alkyl disulfides are synthesized by reaction between a mercaptan and dialkylazodicarboxylate; the addition of a second mercaptan gives the unsymmetrical disulfide. The cyclic disulfide, dithieno[3,2-c:2',3'-e] [1,2] dithiin is obtained from the 2,2'-dibromobithiophene. These thiophene derivatives including a second redox system are potential precursors for polymers. Chemical polymerization affords new materials