A new and efficient route for the synthesis of poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s
(PPVs) containing dialkoxy substituents at the 2,3-positions of the phenyle
ne ring of the polymer backbone has been developed. In comparison to the mo
re classical 2,5-substitution pattern these PPV polymers show a significant
ly blue-shifted longest-wavelength absorption (lambda (max)) and emisson ba
nd (lambda (em)). Two statistical PPV copolymers comprising 2,3-dibutoxy an
d dimethyloctylsilyl- or 2,5-bis(dimethyloctylsilyl) side-chains were synth
esized via the Gilch dehydrohalogenation route. Double-layer light-emitting
devices (LEDs) of the configuration ITO/PEDOT/polymer/Ca were demonstrated
to combine high electroluminescence efficiencies with low turn-on voltages
.