Synthesis and characterization of an alternating copolymer with 1,2-disubstituted and 9,12-disubstituted o-carborane units

The alternating copolymer containing p-phenylene-ethynylene, 1,2-disubstituted o-carborane and 9,12-disubstituted o-carborane units in the main chain was prepared. Through the Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling, the desired polymer was successfully obtained. The photoluminescence analysis and density functional theory calculation indicated that the copolymer exhibited aggregation-induced emission property by the intramolecular charge transfer from the p-phenylene-ethynylene moiety to the C1–C2 bond of the o-carborane cluster. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that thermally stable B–C bond enhanced the ceramic yield of the copolymer.[graphic not available: see fulltext]