Abstract
A new series of photoactive polymers were synthesized by condensing polymerization of different diarylidine monomers 1
a,b
-3
a,b
with 1,2-bis(chloromethylsilyl)ethane in Tetrahydrofuran and in the presence of butyllithium. These polymers were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. The optical properties of these polymers were comparable to those of parent monomer units, by using ultraviolet-visible absorption and emission in solution, and they possessed the physical characteristics of macromolecules. In addition, the thermal properties of these polymers were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and DSC measurements. These polymers are thermally stable up to 207 °C except for polymer P3
a
up to 180 °C and underwent degradation thereafter. The polymers exhibit glass transition temperatures lower than 0 °C except for polymer P3
a
where its T
g
was at 35 °C. The molar masses of all polymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and all polymers have high molar masses. The starting monomers 1
a
, 2
a
, and 3
b
were crystallized and their structures in the crystal were determined by X-ray diffraction. The polymerizable points were found not to be in proper spatial relation to allow for solid-state polymerization.