Synthesis of main‐chain poly(carbazole)s via CuAAC

Abstract

AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of a novel family of main‐chain carbazole‐containing polymers using copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition chemistry is reported. The reactions were performed under mild conditions using readily available copper catalysts and ligands, which afforded polymeric products with Mws up to 18 kDa. Using a range of techniques, the polymers were found to exhibit a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 85 °C, high thermal stability (Td = 274 °C), and high photoluminescent quantum efficiency (ϕf = 0.29; λem = 448 nm), which underscore their potential for use in organic light‐emitting diodes or other emissive devices, particularly where efficient blue emission is of value. The approach described offers practical advantages over other synthetic methods used to prepare main‐chain carbazole‐containing polymers, especially with regard to the lack of need for rigorously inert conditions and the absence of byproducts generated during the polymerization reaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011