A NOVEL-APPROACH TO LIGHT-EMITTING POLYARYLENES - CYCLIZATION OF POLY(ARYLENE VINYLENES)

A novel synthetic route to fully aromatic phenanthrene-based polymers (homopolymers 3, 4 and alternating copolymers 6, 8) has been developed , involving the oxidative cyclization of appropriate phenylsubstituted poly(arylene vinylenes) 1, 2, 5, 7 as the precursor polymers. The tra nsformation proceeds intramolecularly under mild conditions (ferric ch loride hexahydrate, methylene chloride solution, RT). The degree of co nversion is proofed to be approximately complete. Due to both, stilben e -> phenanthrene conversion and increase of chain stiffness, the opti cal and light emitting properties are significantly altered. The new f ilm forming polymers are promising materials for topical electrolumine scence or opto-optic (NLO) device applications.