Synthesis of soluble MEH-PPV and MEH-PPB by HORNER condensation polymerization

Abstract Soluble MEII-PPV 6 and the analogous MEH-PPB 8, possessing the 1,3-butadiene unit, have successfully beensynthesized by condensation polymerization via the h orner reaction. We describe the synthesis pathway and the detailed characterization and structural analysis from NMR, IR and GPC, The optical data of this MEH-PPV (Em. λ max 590 nm, solid film) are consistent with previously reported values. MEH-PPB 8 exhibits a red shift in the absorption and fluorescence. A soluble MEH-DP-PPH 9 (Abs. λ max 527 nm) containing the 1,3,5-hexatriene unit is also reported. The polymers prepared by the H orner -methodology are completely soluble in common solvents and can be cast from solution to give transparent orange or red films, being of interest in light-emitting, nonlinear optical and photoconducting materials.