Electrochromic Properties of Novel Selenophene and Tellurophene Derivatives Based on Carbazole and Triphenylamine Core

The 2,7- and 3,6-substituted carbazole and triphenylamine chalcogenophene (Se, Te) derivatives and their electrodeposited polymers are investigated using electrochemical and UV–vis–NIR/ESR spectroelectrochemical methods. Major differences in the case of oxidation and electropolymerization behavior between monomers and related polymers are shown. Se and Te atoms do not conjugate their lone electron pairs with the π-conjugated system and therefore only increase the contribution of the quinoid form of the chalcogenophene unit. The 2,7- substituted carbazole derivatives present stronger carbazole–chalcogenophene conjugation than 3,6-substituted derivatives. One 3,6-substituted carbazole derivative and triphenylamine derived polymers were found to have promising electrochromic properties with black electrochromism.