Monomers that form conducting polymers as structure-directing agents:: Synthesis of microporous molecular sieves encapsulating poly-para-phenylenevinylene

We have developed a novel concept that uses monomers required for making conducting polymers as organic structure-directing agents, for the synthesis of microporous molecular sieves. We show that these monomers facilitate the formation of crystalline and amorphous molecular sieves depending on the synthesis procedure. The monomers tilling the pores of the silicates can be polymerized under certain conditions, resulting in a polymer immobilized and protected inside the matrix. The concept was exemplified with para-phenylenemethylene-bis(1-tetrahydrothiophenium) and para-phe-nylenemethylene-bis(trimethylammonium) that were used to template microporous molecular sieves and subsequently to obtain poly-para-phenylene-vinylene (PPV) inside the matrix. The organic self-assembled organic-inorganic material was extensively characterized and the implication on electrical conductivity is presented.