Synthesis and optical characterization of unsymmetrical oligophenylenevinylenes

An efficient route to highly soluble unsymmetrical oligo(phenylenevinylenes) (OPVs) has been developed. The OPVs are end-substituted with donor alkoxy and acceptor sulfonyl groups for charge polarization and incorporate a methacrylate unit suitable for co-polymerization. The absorption and excitation spectra of the OPVs and their precursors have been examined; vibronic features are noted, and π-system lengthening and introduction of polarizing substituents red-shift the spectral maxima.