Rigidochromic conjugated polymers carrying main-chain molecular rotors

Abstract

We design and prepare rigidochromic conjugated polymers that carry molecular rotors in the main chain. We show how a suitable design maintains the mechanosensitivity of the rotors upon incorporation into an extended π-conjugated system. Construction of donor–acceptor polymers enables their use as ratiometric probes for polymer micromechanics, which we evidence through micromechanical imaging of a phase-separated polymer blend.