Tris- and tetrakis-[oligo(phenylenevinylene)]silanes: synthesis and luminescence behaviour

The connection of three or four monodisperse oligo(phenylenevinylene)s to a central silicon atom is performed via Wittig–Horner reactions. The terminal rings are substituted with alkoxy side chains. Depending on the ratio of the lengths of the rigid conjugated units and the flexible side chains, transparent films can be obtained from several of these trigonal-pyramidal or tetrahedral molecules. An intense fluorescence in the blue-green region is emitted by molecules of either shape. These compounds are interesting as active materials for electro-optical applications due to their intense fluorescence and improved film forming capability.