Preparation of a new π-conjugated poly (p-phenylene) type polymer constituted of C2 chiral repeating units and its solution and film properties

Chiral poly [9, 10-dihydro-9,10-bis(tributylsilyloxy)phenanthrene-2,7-diyl] was prepared by dehalogenative polycondensation of the corresponding chiral dibromo monomer. Light scattering analysis revealed that the chiral polymer had a stronger intermolecular interaction than the corresponding racemic polymer. A cast film of the polymer showed a strong circular dichroism of about 6 degrees mu m(-1), which corresponds to a theta value of 3.7 x 10(6)degrees cm(2) dmol(-1). (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.