Soluble poly(1,4‐phenylenevinylene)s and poly(1,4‐phenyleneethynylene)s via suzuki coupling

Poly(1,4‐phenylenevinylene) and poly(1,4‐phenyleneethynylene) were prepared from trans ‐1,2‐dibromoethylene and 1,4‐bis(2‐bromoethynyl)benzene respectively with aryldiboronic acids by a Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction. The polymers were synthesized in a two‐phase system at room temperature using silver oxide and a Pd catalyst. 3% of biaryl formation is observed as a defect structure in the PPV polymers resulting from coupling of arylboronic acid. Soluble polymers were obtained when the aryldiboronic acid is substituted with long‐chain alkoxy groups.