Soluble Conjugated One-Dimensional Nanowires Prepared by Topochemical Polymerization of a Butadiynes-Containing Star-Shaped Molecule in the Xerogel State

A star-shaped molecule with three butadiyne moieties attached to a central phenyl core was self-assembled via organogel formation in different solvents and subjected to UV irradiation in its xerogels form to give a soluble conjugated 1D nanowire made of three connected polydiacetylene (PDA) chains. The resulting polymer has a slightly lower optical band gap than its linear counterpart and presents no chromism property, indicative of the rigid nature of the polymer thus obtained.