A series of 9,9-dialkyl-poly(fluorene-2,7-diyl)s containing linear and bran
ched alkyl substituents with a M-n of up to 200000 g/mol has been synthesiz
ed. Moreover, some of the polymers were end capped with a suitable hole tra
nsport functionality, such as a triphenylamine derivative, to improve their
charge transport properties and to control the molecular weight. The therm
al alignment of these novel polymers on a rubbed polyimide layer led to hig
hly anisotropic film formation with dichroic ratios (absorption parallel an
d perpendicular to the rubbing direction) of up to 26 in absorption and 21
in emission.