Soluble poly(1,4‐phenyleneethynylene)s

Abstract

Abstract New monomers are described for the synthesis of rod‐like poly(1,4‐phenyleneethynylene)s with long flexible aliphatic side chains. By palladium catalyzed polycondensation soluble polymers with melting points around 100°C could be obtained. The molecular weight was estimated by GPC, VPO and elemental analysis: GPC showed a multimodale distribution with P n = 9–15. NMR spectra were found to be in agreement with the assumed polymer structure, but signals of the acetylenic carbons could not be detected. A broad, structureless absorption with a maximum at λ = 410 nm is seen in the UV‐VIS‐spectra. The thermal decomposition of the substituted PPE's starts at about 400°C and is comparable to that of unsubstituted PPE in air.