Mechanistic study on the Gilch and the Sulfinyl polymerisation routes

Poly-(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and its derivatives remain the most used class of conjugated polymers for use as active layer in P-LEDs. To obtain t he desired polymer several synthetic methods have been developed; most of t hem based on similar chemistry. However, the nature of the underlying mecha nism of these type of p-quinodimethane based polymerisations is still uncle ar; both anionic and radical mechanisms have been proposed. Recently, we in vestigated the influence of several additives on the Gilch and the Sulfinyl polymerisation towards OC1C10-PPV in THF in an attempt to bring some clari fication on the matter.