Synthesis of a novel oligo(p-phenylene) ladder by sulfide and sulfonio groups

The synthesis of poly(arylenesulfonium salt)s by the acid-promoted polycondensation of aryl sulfoxides is reported. The polysulfonium salt as a novel polyelectrolyte shows good solubility in protonic acids and polar organic solvents. The nucleophilic dealkylation behavior of the polysulfonium salt is described in detail, which is important for the application of the polysulfonium salts as a polymeric methylation agent or as a precursor for high molecular weight poly(p-phenylene sulfide). A ladder polymer bridge by sulfonio groups is constructed as a new class of conjugated polymers. The synthesis of this p-phenylene ladder oligomers that have a planar ribbon type structure is presented.