Alkoxysilyl substituted oligo(phenylenevinylene)s: chromophores with reactive side chains

The synthesis and properties of highly luminescent oligo(phenylenevinylene)s (OPV) with curable alkoxysilyl groups are described. Two diethoxymethylsilane moieties are connected directly or through flexible spacers to monodisperse alkoxy-substituted OPVs via hydrosilylation of alkinyl and allyloxy groups, Heck reaction with silylstyrene or condensation of aldehydes with aminopropyl silanes. Hydrolysis of the alkoxysilanes yields silanols condensing to curable three-dimensional networks, thus allowing the transformation of small molecules to transparent and fluorescent films with well-defined chromophores.