Conjugated copolymers of poly(arylenevinylene)s: synthesis by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, film morphology, and resonant luminescence from microspheres

A series of copolymers of poly(arylenevinylene)s has been prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclic conjugated monomers composed of cyclopentadithiophene, bis(thienyl)benzothiadiazole, or bithiophene using a second-generation Grubbs catalyst and the sequential monomer addition technique. The spectroscopic, electrochemical, and morphological properties of these polymers are tailored by changing the chemical structures and fractions of the monomers. The polymers self-assemble to form microspheres (diameter: 2–5 µm), which act as whispering-gallery-mode optical resonators.