Abstract
Several precursor polymer routes to poly(
p
-phenylenevinylene)
4
, poly[(2,5-dimethyl-
p
-phenylene)vinylene]
10
and poly[(2,5-dimethoxy-
p
-phenylene)vinylene]
15
are described. Base induced polymerisation of bis-sulfonium salt monomers afforded the polyelectrolytes
3
and
9
which were converted respectively directly into either polymer
4
or
10
. Optimised conditions for the complete displacement of sulfonium groups by methanol to produce the corresponding methoxy precursor polymers
5
,
11
and
17
are reported. The fully conjugated polymers obtained after heat and acid treatment of these precursors have been characterised and compared with those obtained
via
different precursor routes. The
1
H NMR spectra of the precursor polymers, as well as IR and UV-VIS data of both the precursor polymers and the materials obtained after conversion into the poly(arylenevinylene)s are discussed.