Synthesis and characterization of blue-light emissive carbazole containing perfluorocyclobutyl arylene ether polymers

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A series of N-alkyl/aryl carbazole 3,6-substituted arylene trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) monomers were synthesized in high purity and yield from a concise four-step synthesis using carbazole as a starting material. Condensate-free, step-growth chain extension of the monomers afforded perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) arylene ether homo- and copolymers as solution processable, optically transparent blue-light emissive materials. Arylene TFVE monomers and conversion to PFCB arylene ether polymers were structurally elucidated and purity confirmed by high resolution mass spectroscopy, NMR (1H, 13C, and 19F) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared analysis. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis revealed glass transition temperatures >150 °C and onset of decomposition in nitrogen >410 °C with 40 wt % char yield up to 900 °C. Optical and electrochemical studies included solution (tetrahydrofuran) and solid state (spin cast thin film) UV–vis/fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry which showed structure dependence of these blue emissive systems on the nature of the N-alkyl/aryl carbazole substitution in either homo- or copolymer configurations.