Modification of soluble polyphenylene by Friedel-Crafts reactions: Introduction of benzyl and toluoyl groups to the polyphenylene and effects of the introduced group on optical properties of the polymer

Introduction of benzyl and toluoyl groups to a soluble p-phenylene/m-phenylene copolymer, PP, was carried out by Friedel-Crafts reactions using benzyl chloride and toluoyl chloride. Degrees of the introduction of the benzyl and toluoyl group per the phenylene unit of PP were estimated at 8.5 and 16.3%, respectively, from H-1 NMR data. Original PP and the polymer with the benzyl group showed a strong photoluminescence with a quantum yield higher than 60% in chloroform. Introduction of the toluoyl group strongly affected the light emitting behavior of the polymer and caused a red shift of the emitted light. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.