SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLY[2,5-BIS(TRIETHOXY)-1,4-PHENYLENE VINYLENE]

The synthesis of a highly soluble, 2,5-disubstituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) with pendant side chains containing ether groups was accompl ished by a dehydrochlorination route. Specific interactions of the oxy gen-containing side chains with the solvent are presumably responsible for the high solubility of the polymer, especially in protogenic solv ents. The polymer microstructure was characterized by H-1- and C-13-NM R. The polymer showed solvatochromic properties when dissolved in a va riety of solvents. The relatively high molecular weight (M(n) = 17,000 ) permitted the fabrication of free-standing films. The electrical con ductivity of iodine-doped films was approximately 2 X 10(-2) S cm(-1). (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.