Bulky sidegroup polymers - synthesis and characterisation

A series of conjugated polymers related to poly(phenylenevinylene) PPV was synthesised and characterised. These polymers contain phenylene moieties at tached to the vinylene unit with various substitution patterns to obtain ve ry complex systems. Some polymers only contain phenylene units along the po lymer chain whereas for some of the derivatives naphthalene units were intr oduced into the backbone. Additionally, some derivatives were prepared by v arying para and meta substitution patterns. The influences of different str uctural alterations on the thermal behaviour, the optical properties and el ectrochemical behaviour are investigated. In general, the polymers are temp erature-stable up to 350 degreesC, emit in the blue to green region of the visible spectrum and contain varying oxidation and reduction potentials dep ending on the substitution pattern.