Synthesis and characterization of a novel AlQ(3)-containing polymer

In this article, the synthesis of a tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (AlQ(3 ))-containing poly(arylene ether) (4) is reported. The presence of AlQ(3) p endants in polymer 4 is confirmed by NMR, ultraviolet-visible, photolumines cence, and gel permeation chromatography analyses. This is the first report of the attachment of AlQ(3) complexes as side chains to a polymer. Polymer 4 has a glass-transition temperature of 217.8 degrees C and is thermally s table with a 5% weight-loss temperature greater than 500 degrees C under ni trogen, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravim etric analyses, respectively. Polymer 4 is quite soluble in common organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and CHCl3. A comp osite that is 80 wt % polymer 4 and 20 wt % AlQ(3) forms a transparent and tough film when cast from its chloroform solution. The application of this AlQ(3)-containing polymer in light-emitting diodes is under investigation. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.