Precursor route chemistry and electronic properties of poly(p-phenylenevinylene), poly[(2,5-dimethyl-p-phenylene)vinylene] and poly[(2,5-dimethoxy-p-phenylene)vinylene]

Several precursor polymer routes to poly(p-phenylenevinylene) 4, poly[(2,5-dimethyl-p-phenylene)vinylene] 10 and poly[(2,5-dimethoxy-p-phenylene)vinylene] 15 are described. Base-induced polymerisation of bis-sulfonium salt monomers afforded the polyelectrolytes 3 and 9 which were converted respectively directly into either polymer 4 or 10. Optimised conditions for the complete displacement of sulfonium groups by methanol to produce the corresponding methoxy precursor polymers 5, 11 and 17 are reported. The fully conjugated polymers obtained after heat and acid treatment of these precursors have been characterised and compared with those obtained via different precursor routes. The H-1 NMR spectra of the precursor polymers, as well as IR and UV-VIS data of both the precursor polymers and the materials obtained after conversion into the poly(arylenevinylene)s are discussed.