Synthesis of Fluorescent Polythiophene Dots

Abstract

Ring-functionalized semiconducting polythiophene dots (Pdots) were synthesized rapidly and in one step by the hydrazine hydrate reduction of doped parent polythiophene, obtained by conventional chemical oxidation of thiophene monomer by FeCl3 in anhydrous acetonitrile. Dispersions of these Pdots display robust (pseudo) solvatochromism and solvatofluorism. Polythiophene Pdots exhibit significant cytotoxicity towards prostate cancer cells (expected) although when injected subcutaneously in vivo in live mouse, no toxicity is observed for 24 days when monitored in real time using fluorescence imaging.