Synthesis and characterization of new poly(arylene ethynylene)s based on 3-hexyl multisubstituted oligothiophene blocks

A series of new regioregular poly(arylene ethynylene)s were prepared by Pd-catalyzed condensation of 3-hexyl multisubstituted oligothiophene derivatives with either benzene or anthracene compounds. The NMR characterization of the starting materials and model compounds lead to a thorough investigation of the corresponding macromolecules. Both small and large molecules were characterized by optical methods. The former, particularly when containing anthracene moieties, display noticeable photoluminescence quantum yields. In the polymers, the photoluminescence quantum yield is lower than that of the starting materials when anthracene is present, while the polymers containing benzene show higher quantum yelds.