Method for preparing dioxyheterocycle-based electrochromic polymers

A method for preparing a conjugated polymer, comprising

• providing at least one first monomer comprising a 3,4-dioxythiophene, 3,4-dioxyselenophene, 3,4-dioxytellurophene 3,4-dioxyfuran, or 3,4-dioxypyrrole;
• optionally providing at least one second monomer comprising a conjugated unit;
• providing a Pd or Ni comprising catalyst;
• providing an aprotic solvent;
• providing a carboxylic acid;
• combining the first monomer, second monomer, catalyst, solvent and carboxylic acid as a polymerization mixture;
• and
• heating the polymerization mixture in excess of 120° C. but below the boiling point of the aprotic solvent, wherein at least one of the first monomers or second monomers is substituted with hydrogen reactive functionalities and at least one of the first or second monomers is substituted with non-hydrogen reactive functionalities, wherein the non-hydrogen reactive functionalities are Cl, Br, I, OTs, OTf, CN, OCN, SCN, wherein the polymerization mixture is free of a phosphine ligand, and wherein the ratio of the hydrogen reactive functionalities and the non-hydrogen reactive functionalities permits a degree of polymerization in excess of four.