Synthesis and properties of carbazole-based hyperbranched conjugated polymers

Carbazole-based novel hyperbranched conjugated polymers linked with triphenylamine and benzene moieties were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling polycondensation of N-octadecyl- and N-octyl-3,6-diethynylcarbazoles with tris(4-iodophenyl)amine and 1,3,5-tribromobenzene. Solvent-soluble polymers with number-average molecular weights in the range of 3500–21,000 were obtained in 48–66% yields. The UV–vis absorption bands of the polymers were red-shifted compared to that of carbazole, indicating the extension of conjugation length. The polymers emitted blue–green fluorescence with high quantum yields up to 67% in CHCl3. Poly(1/3) containing triphenylamine units emits visible light and shows unique solvatochromism. The polymers were electrochemically redox-active.