Solution and film photoluminescence of mesityl-substituted PPVs and low molecular weight models

Poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s and low molecular weight analogues featuring mesityl substituents were prepared and the concentration dependent solution and film absorption and photoluminescent spectroscopic properties of these materials compared to those of less bulky analogues. The presence of bulky mesityl substituents is observed to exert a marked influence on the absorption and photoluminescent properties of these materials by preventing close interchain interactions. A single crystal structure analysis of 1,4-bis(2,6-dimesitylstyryl)-2,5-di-n-hexyloxybenzene (3) shows that despite severe steric crowding, coplanarity (and hence, conjugation) of the distyrylbenzene core is possible.