CONJUGATED POLYMERS FOR NONLINEAR OPTICS .1. SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIESOF POLY(ARYLENEETHYNYLENEVINYLENE)S

Rigid-rod conjugated poly(aryleneethynylenevinylene)s were prepared fr om diethynyl aromatic compounds containing alkoxy groups and trans,tra ns-1,4-bis(beta-bromovinyl)benzene by palladium-catalyzed coupling rea ction. Polymerizations were carried out in THF in the presence of Pd c atalyst, CuI and diethyl amine and gave a series of poly(aryleneethyny lenevinylene)s with weight average molecular weight up to 56,000. The characterization of polymers by IR, NMR, UV-Vis, thermogravimetry, DSC , optical microscopy and X-ray are reported. The polymers exhibited in tense fluorescence in solution (THF) and absorption band shifted to lo nger wavelength in films of the polymers. Polymers with long alkoxy si de chains showed good solubility in THF, CH2Cl2 and CHCl3.