Synthesis and properties of poly-(2-ethynylpyridinium bromide) having propargyl side chains

Poly-(2-ethynylpyridinum bromide) (PEPBP) having propargyl side chains was prepared by the direct polymerization of 2-ethynylpyridine and propargyl bromide under mild reaction conditions without any initiator and catalysts. The polymerization proceeded well to give PEPBP with propargyl side chains in relatively high yields. Various spectral data for the polymer structure indicated that the conjugated polymer system having N-propargylpyridinum substituent was formed. This ionic polymer was completely soluble in water, methanol, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and N,N-dimethylacetamide and well processable into thin homogeneous film. The photoluminescence intensity (lambda (max) = 760 nm.) of this polymer increased as the temperature was increased, At 1 KHz and room temperature, this polymer has k ' = 2.9 and sigma = 7.3 X 10(-10) (S/cm). (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.