Creation of persistent charge-transfer interactions in TCNQ polyester

A clean post-functionalization of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane polyester by a high-yielding addition reaction with electron-rich alkyne molecules provided highly colored polymer products with very stable charge-transfer bands in the visible to near-infrared region. Electrochemistry revealed elevated HOMO and LUMO levels after the post-functionalization.