Polyarylcyanation of Diyne: A One-Pot Three-Component Convenient Route for In Situ Generation of Polymers with AIE Characteristics

Recent progress on polymerization-induced emission

The aggregate luminescence behaviors of polymeric luminescent materials have been attracting great attention. However, the importance of the polymerization process on luminescence, namely, polymerization-induced emission (PIE), has rarely been overviewed. In this review, recent advances in polymerization with PIE effects are summarized, including PIE with aromatic rings based on one-/two-/multi-component polymerizations, and PIE without aromatic rings according to disparate mechanisms of polymerizations. Typical examples are selected to elaborate the basic design principles, as well as the properties and potential applications of the luminous polymers. Moreover, the challenges and perspectives in this area are also discussed.

Multicomponent Polymerization for π-Conjugated Polymers

Structurally complex π-conjugated polymers hold great promise as key components in sensor and electronic devices; however, their syntheses have not been a trivial task. From a synthetic efficiency perspective, it would be more attractive to access these materials using convenient and efficient methods from simple building blocks. One such synthetic tool, multicomponent polymerization, can accommodate modularity and provide highly efficient syntheses. This feature article outlines several multicomponent polymerization strategies for the synthesis of various π-conjugated polymers, which are classified based upon how the monomers are aligned during polymerization. Additionally, the challenges and outlooks of this field are highlighted and discussed.

One-Step Multicomponent Polymerizations for the Synthesis of Multifunctional AIE Polymers

As a new class of functional luminescent materials, polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature attract much attention because of their advantages of efficient solid-state fluorescence, excellent processability, structural diversity, and multifunctionalities. Among all polymerization methods toward AIE polymers, multicomponent polymerizations (MCPs) exhibit the merits of simple operation, good atom economy, high polymerization efficiency, broad functional-group tolerance, etc. In this feature article, the recent progress on the development of one-step MCPs for the synthesis of AIE polymers is highlighted. The representative functionalities of the resulting AIE polymers are illustrated. Perspectives on the challenges and future development directions of this field are also discussed.

One-pot three-component polymerization for in situ generation of AIE-active poly(tetraarylethene)s using Grignard reagents as building blocks

A facile polymerization route for in situ generation of polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics has been developed.

Transition metal-free thiol–yne click polymerization toward Z-stereoregular poly(vinylene sulfide)s

An efficient K₃PO₄-mediated thiol–yne click polymerization was established, and regio- and stereoregular poly(vinylene sulfide)s with Z-isomers were produced.

Palladium-catalyzed polyannulation of pyrazoles and diynes toward multifunctional poly(indazole)s under monomer non-stoichiometric conditions

A novel palladium-catalyzed polymerization route toward polyindazoles with high thermal stability and advanced functionalities in a monomer stoichiometry imbalance-promoted manner.

Self-Assembled α-Cyanostilbenes for Advanced Functional Materials

In the specific context of condensed media, the significant and increasing recent interest in the α-cyanostilbene (CS) motif [ArCHC(CN)Ar] is relevant. These compounds have shown remarkable optical features in addition to interesting electrical properties, and hence they are recognized as very suitable and versatile options for the development of functional materials. This progress report is focused on current and future use of CS structures and molecular assemblies with the aim of exploring and developing for the next generations of functional materials. A critical selection of illustrative materials that contain the CS motif, including relevant subfamilies such as the dicyanodistyrylbenzene and 2,3,3-triphenylacrylonitrile shows how, driven by the self-assembly of CS blocks, a variety of properties, effects, and possibilities for practical applications can be offered to the scientific community, through different rational routes for the elaboration of advanced materials. A survey is provided on the research efforts directed toward promoting the self-assembly of the solid state (polycrystalline solids, thin films, and single crystals), liquid crystals, nanostructures, and gels with multistimuli responsiveness, and applications for sensors, organic light-emitting diodes, organic field effect transistors, organic lasers, solar cells, or bioimaging purposes.

Synthesis of Functional Poly(propargyl imine)s by Multicomponent Polymerizations of Bromoarenes, Isonitriles, and Alkynes

Here we reported a versatile and multicomponent polymerization (MCP) approach that enabled the synthesis of functional poly(propargyl imine)s with well-defined structures and high molecular weight (M_w up to 38 200) in excellent yields (up to 93%) from readily accessible monomers of dibromoarenes, isonitriles, and diynes. This MCP had the advantages of simple operation, wide substrate scope, and mild reaction conditions. The resulting polymers possessed good solubility and showed high thermal stability and refractive indices. The tetraphenylethene-containing polymer displayed a phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission and could respond to various acidic vapors.

Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogen-Based Direct Visualization of Concentration Gradient Inside an Evaporating Binary Sessile Droplet

In this study, the concentration gradient inside evaporating binary sessile droplets of 30, 50, and 60 vol % tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water mixtures was investigated. The 5 μL THF/water droplets were evaporated on a transparent hydrophobic substrate. This is the first demonstration of local concentration mapping within an evaporating binary droplet utilizing the aggregation-induced emission material. During the first two evaporation stages of the binary droplet, the local concentration can be directly visualized by the change of fluorescence emission intensity. Time-resolved average and local concentrations can be estimated by using the pre-established function of fluorescence intensity versus water volume fraction.

An Efficient Violet Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) from a Conjugated Polymer (PFO-co-pX) in Solution

The optical of conjugated polymer poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-(2,5-p-xylene)] also known as [(PFO-co-pX), ADS145UV], dissolved in a few solvents, has been measured. The absorption, emission spectra, and quantum yield have been investigated by using a spectrophotometer and spectrofluorometer, respectively. The properties of Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) of conjugated PFO-co-pX polymer under different conditions such as solvent type, concentration, and pumping energy have been examined by using the tripled frequency of a Nd:YAG laser as a source of pumping. The relation between output energy and pumping energy for the samples with different concentrations in three solvents has been studied. In addition, efficiency and optical gain from the ASE were measured. Additionally, the stability of this polymer as a laser material was investigated. Among the host of conjugated polymer lasers obtained by optical pumping, this conjugated polymer has exhibited only one ASE band under a wide range of concentrations and pump power values. This is most likely due to the steric hindrance by the copolymer segment pX (2,5-p-xylene). This investigation has provided new insights into the excited state dynamics of conjugated polymer materials and has shown that this new conjugated polymer is quite efficient in the violet region.

Studying a novel AIE coating and its handling process via fluorescence spectrum

Study the existing state of TPE–EPOXY-1 polymer chains in good solution varied with its concentration.

A New Determination Method of the Solubility Parameter of Polymer Based on AIE

An accurate method of the fluorescence probe approach based on an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecule (tetraphenylethylene) for measuring the solubility parameter of the polymer is reported. This method is distinctive in that the approach can make the polymer chain conformation in solution be related to the fluorescence intensity. Since the solubility parameter of the polymer is also closely linked to its chain conformation in solution, the solubility parameter can be determined by the fluorescence intensity. The range of the solubility parameter of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) tested by this method was from 9.00 cal^1/2cm^−3/2 to 10.00 cal^1/2cm^−3/2. The results are more accurate than those obtained from the traditional turbidimetric titration method, ranging from 8.60 cal^1/2cm^−3/2 to 12.15 cal^1/2cm^−3/2. According to the photoluminescence (PL) intensities spectra, the solubility parameters of PMMA and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) are 9.19 cal^1/2cm^−3/2 and 9.85 cal^1/2cm^−3/2, respectively.