SYNTHESES OF NEW POLY(ARYLENE VINYLENE) ANALOGS - POLY(4,7-BENZOFURANVINYLENE) AND POLY(4,7-BENZOTHIOPHENE VINYLENE)

The reaction of bis(4,7-tetrahydrothiopheniomethyl)benzofuran dibromid e with aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide leads to a water-soluble polyelectrolyte which can be film cast and thermolytically eliminated to give poly(4,7-benzofuran vinylene) (PBFV). Subjection of bis (4,7-t etrahydrothiopheniomethyl) benzothiophene dibromide to the same reacti on sequence gives poly (4,7-benzothiophene vinylene) (PBTV). UV-VIS st udies show that PBFV has a band gap of 2.76 eV, while PBTV has a band gap of 2.92 eV. These polymers are members of a new class of conjugate d poly(arylene vinylene)s, in which heterocyclic pseudoaromatic rings are fused onto a poly(1,4-phenylene vinylene) backbone. (C) 1994 John Wile & Sons, Inc.