Palladium-catalyzed carbene coupling of N-tosylhydrazones and arylbromides to synthesize cross-conjugated polymers

Carbene-involving cross-coupling reactions of N-tosylhydrazones and arylbromides have been introduced into polymer chemistry for the first time, providing a novel method to access a new type of cross-conjugated polymer, poly(arylene-1,1-vinylidene)s (iso-PAVs). The pendant double bonds of these cross-conjugated polymers allow for further post-polymerization functionalization. The good thermal stability and remarkable optical properties of these cross-conjugated polymers reveal their potential for applications.