Oligo(phenylenevinylene)s end-capped with phenothiazine or triphenylamine

Abstract

AbstractMonodisperse oligo(phenylenevinylene)s end-capped with arylamines have been prepared via Horner Olefinations from bisphosphonates and arylaminobenzaldehydes. The influences of the conjugation length, different arylamine end groups, and of side chains with various electronic character on the electrical and optical properties of the chromophores are investigated. The elongation of the π-conjugated segment from 3 to 5 rings gives rise to bathochromic shifts of the electronic spectra and a slight increase of the oxidation potential. The same but more pronounced is true when the central electron donating ethers are replaced by the strong acceptor alkylsulfone. The electronic spectra of chromophores with triphenylamine and with N-alkylphenothiazines as end groups are quite similar, but the heterocyclic unit reduces the oxidation potential. The incorporation of a chromophor into a segmented copolymer has only negligible effect on the optical and electrical properties.