Development of novel processable electron accepting conjugated polymers containing fluoranthene units in the main chain

Considerable interest exists in the development of novel n-type conjugated polymers, since many currently available polymer systems have insufficient electron mobility and/or electron affinity. In this work, a universal synthesis route is presented towards a new class of n-type conjugated polymers, i.e. poly(p-fluoranthene vinylene) (PFV) and its derivatives. This route is illustrated with three examples, i.e. unsubstituted PFV and functionalized hexyl-PFV and dodecyl-PFV. All polymers have been synthesized via the dithiocarbamate precursor route. Solubility was introduced by incorporation of alkyl side chains, which leads to a significantly enhanced purity and processability as compared to unsubstituted PFV. Under the applied electrochemical conditions PFV-type polymers demonstrate typical n-type behavior. Additional CELIV mobility measurements on dodecyl-PFV reveal an excellent electron mobility, μe = 1.4 × 10−4 cm2/Vs. Hence, poly(p-fluoranthene vinylene) and its derivatives are promising n-type materials for organic optoelectronic applications.