Synthesis and Characterization of Repeating Sequence Copolymers of Fluorene and Methylene Monomers

A series of well-defined multiblock (mb) copolymers consisting of alternating 9,9-dihexylfluorene and methylene segments has been prepared. Poly(9,9-dihexylfluorene-mb-methylene)s (PFMs) with repeat units of FxMy (x = 1-4, y = 10, 18 and x = 5-8, y = 18) were assembled by tandem metal-catalyzed acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization/hydrogenation from ,-olefin bearing precursors. The polymers exhibited weight-average molecular weights ranging from Mw = 10 to 57 kDa. The PFMs exhibit photophysical properties, absorbance, and emission consistent with the length of the fluorene sequence. Glass and melting transition temperatures also increase with fluorene segment length.

Macromolecules, 41 (1), 31 -35, 2008. 10.1021/ma0703711