| 1. A method of stabilizing thiophene derivatives comprising:
(a) providing a thiophene derivative of the general formula (I):
wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl groups which can contain up to 5 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, optionally substituted
C1-20 oxyalkyl groups which can contain up to 5 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, or wherein
R1 and R2 together represent a fused cyclic moiety selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1-20 dioxyalkylene groups and C1-20 dioxyarylene groups; and
(b) treating the thiophene derivative with a basic compound.
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