Room temperature synthesis of poly(2,5‐dimethoxy‐l,4‐phenylenevinylene) by the chloride sulfonium salt route

The preparation of poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) and its derivatives has until now always involved a high temperature (200–300°C) conversion of the precursor polymer (see Figure) to the target polymer—a process that will cause problems in practical device fabrication. A room‐temperature conversion method is described in which HBF₄ simultaneously converts and dopes the chloride sulfonium precursor polymer to the metallic conducting form in one step. magnified image