Synthesis of methyl- and methoxy-substituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) via a non-ionic precursor route

Stable methyl- and methoxy-substituted soluble precursor polymers (5a and 5b) were synthesised via a non-ionic precursor route. These precursor polymers possess a sulphoxy substituent on the ethylene segment which, can be eliminated by means of a simple thermal treatment in order to yield the conjugated polymer. The synthesis of the monomers, the precursor and the conjugated polymers is discussed briefly together with the photoluminescence properties of the latter.