Luminescence of new 2,6-and 1,5-naphthalene-based PPV-type trimers and polymers

A series of new soluble 2,6- and 1,5-conjugated naphthalene-based PPV-analo gous trimers (1a,b-6a,b) and polymers (24, 25, 26) have been synthesized by means of Knoevenagel and Wittig reactions, combining appropriate 1,5- and 2,6-functionalized naphthylene or phanylene building blocks. The influence of cyano substituents at the vinylic double bonds of the aromatic chromopho res, and of the way in which they are linked, on the absorption and photolu minescence spectra has been investigated. The electroluminescent behaviour of the new compounds has been studied in ITO/copper phthalocyanine (PcCu)/e mitter (trimer or polymer)/Al devices, demonstrating the aptitude of trimer ic and polymeric 1,5-naphthylenevinylenes for use in organic light-emitting diodes for the first time.