Design and synthesis of porphyrin-containing arrays on polypyrrole surfaces

Polypyrrole films react with thiols to give covalently substituted, reduced polymers. The extent of reaction and the depth to which the thiol penetrates depends upon the time the film is exposed to the thiol solution. The electrical conductivity of the derivatized chains is permanently destroyed during this process, but if the reaction is limited to the film surface, the bulk polymer remains electroactive. When a halobenzene- or haloacridinethiol is used, it is possible to use palladium catalyzed coupling chemistry to attach porphyrins to the surface anchor.