Electrochemical synthesis of poly(4,4′-biphenylene ethylene)s

Three novel poly(4,4′-biphenylene ethylene)s (PBPE)s, substituted at the 2,2′-positions by electron-withdrawing or donating groups, were obtained via the cathodic reduction of 4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)biphenyl and corresponding derivatives at a stirred mercury pool cathode. Spectroscopic and thermal analysis data are also presented.