Synthesis of new class of processable electroluminescent poly(terephthalylidene) derivatives with ether and sulfide linkage

A new series of the processable poly(terephthalylidene) derivatives containing single atom linkage were prepared by condensation reactions between bis(4-formylphenyl)ether or sulfide and 2,5-bis(hexyloxyl)-1,4-xylene bis (triphenyl phosphonium chloride), respectively. The resulting polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and could be spun-cast on glass plate coated with ITO electrode obtaining highly transparent homogeneous thin films. Chemical structures of the polymer were confirmed by IR, UV-visible, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra. We observed successfully the electroluminescence spectra and maximum peaks at 525 nm and 505 nm from the devices made by the synthesized polymers. The present polymers have the strong absorption band at around 395 nm and 383 nm, which are due to the pi-pi*: transition of the conjugated segments of corresponding polymers. I-V curve showing typical rectifying diode characteristics. EL spectrum of the polymer was very similar to the PL spectrum indicating that the origins of the light emission in both cases are the same. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.