Synthesis and characterization of new poly(aryl ether)s containing alternate emitting and electron transporting chromophores

Three poly(aryl ether)s consisting of alternate isolated blue chromophore (substituted p-aryl vinylene) and electron transport structure (1,3,4-oxadiazole) have been synthesized and characterized. The poly(aryl ether)s (eta(red) > 0.5 dl/g) were obtained by nucleophilic displacement reaction of oxadiazole-activated bis(fluoride) monomers with bis(phenol) monomers. Introduction of ether linkages results in enhanced solubility in organic solvent such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and Pyridine. The polymers have the high glass transition temperature (T-g = 181-223 degrees C) and exhibit good thermal stability with the onset decomposition temperature at around 470 degrees C in nitrogen. The photoluminescence spectra shift to longer wavelength with additional phenyl ring in aryl vinylene chromophores. On the other part, the electronic affinity of these polymers has also been confirmed by cyclic voltammograms in film state. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.