Oligo(phenylenevinylene)s with reactive side chains: amine- and amide-bound alkoxysilanes

Strongly luminescent oligo(phenylenevinylene) chromophores with monodisperse chain lengths are connected via short spacers containing a secondary amine or amide with di- and tri-ethoxysilane groups. The alkoxysilanes can be hydrolysed and condensed to cyclic and linear oligomers with high film forming capability and are also interesting functional units for hybrid materials for electro-optical applications. The luminescence properties in the solid state are influenced by hydrogen bonding of the amides resulting in strong hypsochromic shifts. The synthesis of the title compounds, their oligomerisation and the electronic spectra in the solution and solid state are presented.