Synthesis of Main-Chain Poly(carbazole)s via CuAAC

Abstract

The synthesis and characterized con of a novel family of main-chain carbazole-containing polymers using copper-cat-alyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition chemistry is reported. The reactions were performed under mild conditions using readily available copper catalysts and ligands, which afforded polymeric products with M(w)s up to 18 kDa. Using a range of techniques, the polymers were found to exhibit a glass transition temperature (T-g) of 85 degrees C, high thermal stability (T-d = 274 degrees C), and high photoluminescent quantum efficiency (Phi(f) = 0.29; lambda(em) = 448 nm), which underscore their potential for use in organic light-emitting diodes or other emissive devices, particularly where efficient blue emission is of value. The approach described offers practical advantages over other synthetic methods used to prepare main-chain carbazole-containing polymers, especially with regard to the lack of need for rigorously inert conditions and the absence of byproducts generated during the polymerization reaction.