Macromolecules, Vol.50, No.22, 8916-8927, 2017
Poly(p-phenylenediethynylene phosphine)s and Related pi-Conjugated Phosphine-Diyne Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Photophysical Properties
Despite the considerable synthetic challenge, polymers that incorporate phosphorus atoms within or adjacent to a pi-conjugated backbone framework are of interest due to the ability to modulate the photophysical properties of the polymer based on the chemical environment at phosphorus. We report the synthesis and characterization of poly(p-phenylenediethlynylene phosphine)s, 1a-1e, a new class of sigma-pi conjugated polymer. Polymers 1a-1e were prepared by a Ni-catalyzed coupling of dialkynes with phenyldichlorophosphine in the presence of excess triethylamine and have molecular weights (M-w) up to 12,000 g mol(-1) (vs. polystyrene). While the polymers 1b-1e are nonfluorescent, blue fluorescence is observed upon oxidation of the phosphorus centers (Phi(soln) = 0.12-0.28). Polymers 1b.O-1e.O also exhibit yellow/green fluorescence in the solid state (Phi(solid) = 0.04-0.08). These results introduce a fascinating new class of main group-containing macromolecule and lay the groundwork for their utilization in sensory applications and/or their incorporation into optoelectrical devices.