Synthesis and characterization of polycyclopentaphenanthrene with carbazole or oxidiazole pendant units

Poly(2,6-(4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene)) is a blue light emitting conjugated polymer that is stable even after annealing at 150 degrees C or operation of the electroluminescence (EL) device in air. Polymers with carbazole or oxadiazole units have been synthesized by Yamamoto polymerization. The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of the polymers in chloroform solutions exhibit maximum peaks at 384-398 nm. The PL emission spectra of polymer films exhibit maximum peaks at 419-425 nm and additional peaks at around 530 nm. The EL emission maxima of the polymers appear at 538-543 nm, as carbazole or oxadiazole pendants induce inter-molecular interactions. Polymer Journal (2012) 44, 347-352; doi:10.1038/pj.2011.138; published online 25 January 2012