An electrochemical route to poly(p-phenylenevinylene) polymers (PPVs) and copolymers via cathodically generated quinodimethanes: preparative and structural aspects

Abstract

An electrochemical route to poly(p-phenylenevinylenes)(PPVs) is described which involves cathodic cleavage of bis(dibromomethyl)arenes at a mercury pool cathode. Insoluble and organosoly PPVs are obtained in good yields and are characterised as regular and linear. Copolymers are obtained by co-electrolysis of different bis(dibromomethyl)arenes. The method is versatile and much functionality is tolerated. The polymers can be made conducting by doping with BF₃ or SO₃. The effect of substituents on conductivity correlates, roughly but significantly, with Hammett σ-values. Poly(p-phenylenevinylene), the parent PPV, forms conducting blends with poly(vinyl alcohol).