SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RING-HALOGENATED POLY(1,4-PHENYLENEVINYLENES)

The synthesis and physical characterization of halogenated poly(1,4-phenylenevinylenes) (PPVs) is described. The mechanical properties of the PPV films thermally cast from water-soluble polyelectrolyte precursors in this methodology were found to be quite dependent upon the purity of the monomeric 1,4-bis(tetrahydrothiopheniomethyl) benzene dihalide starting materials, as was the molecular weight of the polyelectrolytes. The UV-vis spectra of the halogenated PPVs were blue-shifted relative to the parent PPV, suggesting an increased bandgap consistent with the net electron-withdrawing nature of the halogenated substituents.