PHENYLATED POLY(P-PHENYLENE VINYLENES) PREPARED VIA THE CHLORINE PRECURSOR ROUTE (CPR)

The synthesis of several highly phenylated PPV derivatives by a chlori ne precursor route (CPR) was investigated in order to understand its s cope. Three 1,4-bis(chloromethyl)benzene monomers were prepared via a robust and versatile synthetic procedure involving the Diels-Alder rea ction. The monomers were then polymerized to the corresponding precurs or polymers with about 1.0 equivalent of potassium t-butoxide in THF. Only one monomer gave a soluble precursor polymer while the other two gave insoluble precursor polymers. The soluble precursor polymer was d eposited as thin films and then converted to the corresponding PPV der ivative, which showed green photoluminesence and electroluminesence.