Click synthesis of donor–acceptor-type aromatic polymers

A high-yielding addition reaction between electron-rich alkynes and a small acceptor molecule, tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), was employed as a new click reaction to construct donor–acceptor chromophores in the polymer main chains and side chains. The donor–acceptor alternating conjugated polymers were prepared from the ferrocene-containing poly(aryleneethynylene)s in one step and atom-economic fashion. The energy levels and thermal properties of the aromatic polyamines substituted by electron-rich alkynes as a side chain can be tunable by the amount of the added TCNE. The resulting donor–acceptor-type polymers feature broad charge-transfer (CT) bands in the visible region, potent redox activities, and improved thermal properties.