Synthesis and properties of PPE-type conjugated polymers containing tricarbonyl(arene)chromium unit in the main chain

Novel π-conjugated polymers containing (η6-arene)Cr(CO)3 in the main chain based on poly(p-phenylene-ethynylene) were prepared by the Sonogashira coupling reaction of η6-(1,4-diethynylbenzene)tricarbonylchromium with 1,4-diiodo-2,5-dialkoxybenzenes. The polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and characterized by NMR and FT-IR spectra. The polymers exhibited an absorption maximum at around 390 nm, which showed a red shift of approximately 30 nm compared to that of the model compound. Cyclic voltammogram showed a single reversible oxidation peak derived from the (η6-arene)Cr(CO)3 unit.