Synthesis and spectral-luminescence properties of aromatic polyamides and polyesters with chromophores in the polymer main chain

We report copolycondensation reactions of several benzimidazole-, benzoxazole- and diphenylanthracenyl-containing chromophores with m-phenylenediamine (MPD), isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) and bisphenol A (BPA) to form polyamides and polyesters. The absorbance and fluorescence spectra of the polymers were measured and the actual molar ratios of luminophoric and nonluminophoric moieties in their structures were determined by comparison to model compounds. Most copolymers showed intense blue fluorescence, from solution and film, with a maximum in the 410–515 nm range. The present results demonstrate that non-conjugated luminescent polymers, which are potentially useful for light-emitting diode applications, may be obtained by a one-state copolycondensation technique.