BF3·Et2O-mediated Friedel–Crafts C–H bond polymerization to synthesize π-conjugation-interrupted polymer semiconductors

Abstract

C–H bond functionalization offers a chance to develop a new concept of polymerization. In this article, a family of diarylfluorene-based π-conjugation-interrupted polymers (CIPs) with nonlinear or hyperbranched frameworks have been explored by BF3·Et2O-mediated Friedel–Crafts polymerization of AB, AB2 and AB4-type tertiary alcohol monomers at room temperature. Their chemical structures and optoelectronic properties have been characterized and the existence of strong intermolecular π-stacked aggregates have been observed. CIP semiconductors afford a new platform to explore novel functionality of organic devices in organic electronics or spinelectronics.