Synthesis and spectral properties of new hetarylazo indole dyes

A series of new hetarylazo indole dyes were synthesized by azo coupling of 2-phenyl-, 2-methyl-, and 1-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-indole with diazonium salts derived from 5-methylsulfanyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine, 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine, 5-methylisoxazol-3-amine, and 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol. The dyes were characterized by the IR spectra, electronic absorption spectra in the UV and visible regions, and ¹H NMR and mass spectra. The effects of solvent nature, acidity of the medium, temperature, and concentration on the electronic absorption spectra in the visible region and the dependence of the color of the dyes on the nature of heterocyclic fragment were examined. Published in Russian in Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 7, pp. 1041–1047. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Synthesis and Application of Some Alkali‐Clearable Azo Disperse Dyes Based on Naphthalimide Derivatives

A series of naphthalimide‐based alkali‐clearable azo disperse dyes containing a fluorosulfonyl group was synthesized. 4‐Fluorosulfonylaniline, 4‐fluorosulfonyl‐2‐nitroaniline and 6‐chloro‐4‐fluorosulfonyl‐2‐nitroaniline as the diazo components were prepared from N‐acetylsulfanilyl chloride and were subsequently coupled with 4‐hydroxy‐N‐3‐methoxypropyl‐1, 8‐naphthalimide. The synthesized dyes and their intermediates were characterized by the use of DSC, FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass spectroscopy and UV‐visible spectroscopic techniques. Spectrophotometric investigations of prepared dyes in different solvents were carried out in order to obtain their absorption maxima, molar extinction coefficients and solvatochromic effects. The obtained dyes were applied to polyester fabric by the HT method and exhibited good leveling, wash and sublimation fastnesses and moderate light fastness. The synthesized dyes showed that incorporated fluorosulfonyl group to these dyes can be converted to the dyes containing a water soluble sulfonate group in the relatively mild alkaline conditions.     

Synthesis,Characterization of Novel Bisheteroaryl Bisazo Dyes,and Their Dyeing and Solvatochromic Behavior

4‐Phenyl‐2‐aminothaizole was diazotized and coupled with N‐(alkyl)‐2‐oxo‐3‐cyano‐4‐methyl‐6‐hydroxypyridine (2‐pyridone). The resultant dyes were named as N‐(alkyl)‐6‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐5‐((4‐phenylthiazole‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐1,2‐dihydro pyridine‐3‐carbonitrite and duly characterized. The diazotized aryl amines were then coupled to a moiety of above‐mentioned dyes at 5‐position of thiazole. The obtained bisheteroaryl azo dyes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectral studies. Solvent effects on the visible absorption spectra of the dyes were evaluated. The color of the dyes is discussed with respect to the nature of the heterocyclic ring, aromatic amines, and substituents present therein. All these dyes were applied as disperse dyes on to polyester fabrics, and their fastness properties were evaluated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:208–220, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.21085     

Synthesis,Spectroscopy, Crystal Structure Determination,and Quantum Chemical Calculations of BODIPY Dyes with Increasing Conformational Restriction and Concomitant Red‐Shifted Visible Absorption and Fluorescence Spectra

Starting from the conformationally unconstrained compound 3,5‐di‐(2‐bromophenoxy)‐4,4‐difluoro‐8‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene ( 1 ), two BODIPY dyes ( 2 and 3 ) with increasingly rigid conformations were synthesized in outstanding total yields through palladium catalyzed intramolecular benzofuran formation. Restricted bond rotation of the phenoxy fragments leads to dyes 2 and 3 , which absorb and fluoresce more intensely at longer wavelengths relative to the unconstrained dye 1 . Reduction of the conformational flexibility in 2 and 3 leads to significantly higher fluorescence quantum yields compared to those of 1 . X‐ray diffraction analysis shows the progressively more extended planarity of the chromophore in line with the increasing conformational restriction in the series 1 → 2 → 3 , which explains the larger red shifts of the absorption and emission spectra. These conclusions are confirmed by quantum chemical calculations of the lowest electronic excitations in 1 , 1a , 2 , 2a , 3 and dyes of related chemical structures. The effect of the molecular structure on the visible absorption and fluorescence emission properties of 1 , 1a , 2 , 2a , 3 has been examined as a function of solvent by means of the new, generalized treatment of the solvent effect (J. Phys. Chem. B 2009 , 113, 5951–5960). Solvent polarizability is the primary factor responsible for the small solvent‐dependent shifts of the visible absorption and fluorescence emission bands of these dyes.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Theoretical Calculation of New Azo Dyes Derived from [1,5‐a]Pyrimidine‐5‐one Having Solvatochromic Properties

7‐Amino‐3‐phenylazo‐2‐methyl‐4H‐pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine‐5‐one ( 3 ) was synthesized by the reaction of 5‐amino‐3‐methyl‐4‐phenylazo‐1H‐pyrazole and 2‐aminobenzothiazole with ethyl cyanoacetate in acetic acid at 150°C. Four novel heterocyclic azo disperse dyes were obtained by the coupling of heterocyclic amines‐based diazonium chloride with compound 3 . They were purified and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, and ¹H NMR. Furthermore, solvatochromic behaviors of related dyes were studied in detail by using ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrometer. The experimental data were supported by density functional theory using b3lyp/cc‐pvtz level calculations, and a detailed analysis of predicted tautomeric structures was made.     

Synthesis of new hetarylazoindole dyes from some 2-aminothiazole derivatives

A new series of heterocyclic disperse dyes were prepared by diazotization of some 2-aminothiazole derivatives and subsequent coupling with indole compounds. The dyes were characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectra (LC-MS). Solvent effects on their visible absorption spectra were estimated. The color of the dyes is discussed with respect to the substituent therein. The effects of acids and bases on the visible absorption maxima of the dyes are also reported. Replacement of methyl group in the 4-position of the thiazole ring by phenyl group leads to red shift of the absorption maximum due to π-electron-donating properties of the phenyl group, while weak electron-withdrawing chlorine or bromine atom in the para-position of the phenyl group in the 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole fragment induce a small blue shift relative to 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole derivatives. Introduction of an electron-withdrawing 4-nitrophenylsulfonyl group into the thiazole ring produces bathochromic shift of the absorption maximum in all solvents. Published in Russian in Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 592–599. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel π‐conjugated polymers with phosphole ring derivatives

Novel π‐conjugated polymers ( 8 – 10 ) were prepared by the palladium‐catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of three kinds of phosphole‐ring‐containing monomers with 2,5‐dihexyloxyl‐1,4‐diethynylbenzene. The obtained polymers ( 8 – 10 ) were regioregulated with the 2,5‐substituted phosphole ring in the polymer main chain and characterized with ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR and FTIR. Polymers 8 – 10 were found to have an extended π‐conjugated system according to the results of UV–vis absorption spectra. In the fluorescence emission spectra of 8 – 10 , moderate emission peaks were observed in the visible blue‐to‐green region. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2867–2875, 2007     

New 1,3,4‐Oxadiazinoisoquinoline Methine Cyanine Dyes: Synthesis,Photosensitivity and Antibacterial Activity

New heterocyclic ring system including 1,3,4‐oxadiazino[6,5‐c]isoquinoline was prepared and employed as a precursor for preparation of monomethine and trimethine cyanine dyes. The structure of the new compounds was characterized via elemental analysis and mass, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. The photosensitivity (electronic transitions inside the dye molecule due to photon absorption) of the new methine cyanine dyes was investigated by studying their visible spectra in absolute ethanol and showed its maxima in the visible range of the spectrum with relatively strong absorption bands. The antibacterial activity of the newly synthesized compounds was evaluated against some bacterial strains, resulting in a promising antibacterial efficacy that recommend the tested compounds as new candidates for further pharmaceutical evaluations.     

Tuning the optical properties of hyperbranched polymers through the modification of the end groups

Dye‐capped, hyperbranched, conjugated polymers were prepared by the modification of the peripheral bromo end groups of the hyperbranched polymer core with a palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction. The dye‐modified, hyperbranched polymers had high molecular weights and displayed good solubility in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and chloroform. The structure of the dye‐modified, hyperbranched polymers was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The thermal properties of five kinds of hyperbranched polymers were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The optical properties of the dye‐capped, hyperbranched polymers were investigated with ultraviolet‐absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The hyperbranched structure could effectively reduce the aggregation of the peripheral dyes. The emission colors of the hyperbranched polymers could be easily tuned by end‐group modification. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 111–124, 2007     

Homoleptic Zinc(II) Complexes Based on 4′‐(2‐Thienyl)‐terpyridine: Preparation,Structures, and Properties

The homoleptic complexes Zn^II(4′‐(2‐(5‐R‐thienyl))‐terpyridine)₂(ClO₄)₂ [R = hydrogen ( 1 ), bromo ( 2 ), methyl ( 3 ), and methoxy ( 4 )] were prepared. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses, and further characterized by high resolution mass, infrared spectra (IR), and elemental analyses. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that Zn^II ions in the complexes are both six‐coordinate with N₆ coordination sphere, displaying distorted octahedral arrangements. The absorption and emission spectra of the homoleptic Zn^II complexes were investigated and compared to those of the parent complex Zn^II(4′‐(2‐thienyl))‐terpyridine)₂(ClO₄)₂. The UV/Vis absorption spectra showed that the complexes all exhibit strong absorption component in UV region, moreover, complex 4 has an absorption component in the visible region. Thus, the photocatalytic activities of the complexes in degradation of organic dyes were investigated under UV and visible irradiation.     

Syntheses and electronic absorption spectra of some new penta- and di-methine cyanine dyes

The reaction of a ratio of 1 mole of 5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl pyrazolo-4[2(4)]-dimethine cyanine ( 1a,b ) or (5-chloro-4-formyl-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole) 2 with 2 moles of an appropriate 2(4)-heterocyclic quaternary salt afforded the novel pentamethine cyanine dyes ( 3a–3e ). Other reactions of 2 with heterocyclic nitrogen bases, followed by condensation of the newly formed quaternary nitrogen salts ( 4a–4c ) with methoheterocyclic iodide salts provided the corresponding unsymmetrical dimethine cyanine dyes ( 5a–5g ). The new pentamethine and dimethine cyanine dyes were identified by elemental analyses and IR and ¹H-NMR spectral data. The visible absorption spectra of some selected dyes were investigated in pure and mixed solvents as well as in universal buffer solutions. The measure of the variation of absorbance with pH was utilized for the determination of the pK_a values for compounds 3b, 3d, 3e, 5e , and 5f , and these data are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 8 : 259–266, 1997.     

Ultrasensitive Biosensing Platform Based on the Luminescence Quenching Ability of Plasmonic Palladium Nanoparticles

An ultrasensitive biosensing platform for DNA and protein detection is constructed based on the luminescence quenching ability of plasmonic palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs). By growing the particles into large sizes (ca. 30 nm), the plasmonic light absorption of PdNPs is broadened and extended to the visible range with extinction coefficients as high as 10⁹ L mol^?1 cm^?1, enabling complete quenching of fluorescent dyes that emit at diverse ranges and that are tagged to bioprobes. Meanwhile the nonspecific quenching of the dyes (not bound to probes) is negligible, leading to extremely low background signal. Utilizing the affinity of PdNPs towards bioprobes, such as single‐stranded (ss) DNA and polypeptide molecules, which is mainly assigned to the coordination interaction, nucleic acid assays with a quantification limit of 3 pM target DNA and protein assay are achieved with a simple mix‐and‐detect strategy based on the luminescence quenching‐and‐recovery protocol. This is the first demonstration of biosensing employing plasmonic absorption of nanopalladium, which offers pronounced sensing performances and can be reasonably expected for wide applications.     

New heterobicationic hemicyanine dyes: Synthesis,spectroscopic properties,and photoinitiating ability

This article describes the synthesis, spectroscopic properties, and free‐radical photoinitiation ability of new heterobicationic hemicyanine dyes. A new synthetic strategy for the preparation of unsymmetrical cyanine dyes has been developed, based on 2‐methylbenzothiazole derivative quaternization by 3‐pyridinium‐1‐bromopropane bromide and subsequent condensation of the resulting product with p‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)benzaldehyde. The tested dyes possess in one molecule two quaternary nitrogen atoms; that is, they are heterobicationic in nature. Novel hemicyanine dyes have been tested as visible‐light photoinitiators of vinyl monomer polymerization. Heterobicationic hemicyanine dyes paired with n‐butyltriphenylborate anions are very efficient photoinitiators of the free‐radical polymerization of trimethylolpropane triacrylate when irradiated with the visible emission of an argon‐ion laser. The photoinitiating abilities of the novel photoredox pairs are compared with the photoinitiation properties of their monocationic equivalent {3‐methyl‐2‐[4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazolium n‐butyltriphenylborate} as well as a Rose Bengal derivative (a typical triplet‐state photoinitiator). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6345–6359, 2006     

A Microporous Anionic Metal–Organic Framework for Sensing Luminescence of Lanthanide(III) Ions and Selective Absorption of Dyes by Ionic Exchange

Herein, a novel anionic framework with primitive centered cubic (pcu) topology, [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₄[(Zn₄dttz₆)Zn₃]?15 DMF?4.5 H₂O, ( IFMC‐2 ; H₃dttz=4,5‐di(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐2H‐1,2,3‐triazole) was solvothermally isolated. A new example of a tetranuclear zinc cluster {Zn₄dttz₆} served as a secondary building unit in IFMC‐2 . Furthermore, the metal cluster was connected by Zn^II ions to give rise to a 3D open microporous structure. The lanthanide(III)‐loaded metal–organic framework (MOF) materials Ln³⁺@IFMC‐2 , were successfully prepared by using ion‐exchange experiments owing to the anionic framework of IFMC‐2 . Moreover, the emission spectra of the as‐prepared Ln³⁺@IFMC‐2 were investigated, and the results suggested that IFMC‐2 could be utilized as a potential luminescent probe toward different Ln³⁺ ions. Additionally, the absorption ability of IFMC‐2 toward ionic dyes was also performed. Cationic dyes can be absorbed, but not neutral and anionic dyes, thus indicating that IFMC‐2 exhibits selective absorption toward cationic dyes. Furthermore, the cationic dyes can be gradually released in the presence of NaCl.     

Photocatalytic Self‐Doped SnO2−x Nanocrystals Drive Visible‐Light‐Responsive Color Switching

Visible‐light‐responsive reversible color‐switching systems are attractive to many applications because visible light has superior penetration and causes far less damage to organic molecules than UV. Herein, we report that self‐doping of SnO_2−x nanocrystals with Sn²⁺ red‐shifts their absorption to the visible region and simultaneously produces oxygen vacancies, which can effectively scavenge photogenerated holes and thus enable the color switching of redox dyes using visible light. Wavelength‐selective switching can also be achieved by coupling the photocatalytic activity of the SnO_2−x NCs with the color‐switching kinetics of different redox dyes. The fast light response enables the further fabrication of a solid film that can be repeatedly written on using a visible laser pen or projection printing through a photomask. This discovery represents a big step forward towards practical applications, especially in areas in which safety issues and photodamage by UV light are of concern.     

Photosensitization mechanisms in photopolymer coating film containing photoinitiators sensitized by aminochalcone‐type dye for computer‐to‐photopolymer plate

Photosensitization mechanisms in photopolymer coating film containing an aminochalcone‐type dye sensitizer and a radical generating reagent, sensitizer dyes, (E)‐3‐(9‐julolidinyl)‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one (A), (E)‐2‐(9‐julolidinyl)‐methylene‐1‐indanone (B), 9‐benzoyl‐2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H,5H‐benzo[i,j]‐furano‐[3,2‐g]quinolizine (C), 4‐(dimethylamino) chalcone (D) and a radical‐generating reagent, 2,4,6‐tris (trichloromethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TCT), were investigated by laser flash photolysis using a total reflection cell. Weak fluorescence and strong broad triplet absorption were detected. The fluorescence was statically quenched by TCT at quenching distances (R_f) of 15, 14, 20 and 14 Å for A, B, C and D as well as the triplet initial absorption, at quenching distances (R_t) of 16, 16, 16 and 14 for A, B, C and D, similar to the fluorescence quenching distances. The triplet decay time of the dyes was inefficiently quenched by TCT with the rate constants (k _q) of 1.9, 3.1, 0.7 and 1.0×10⁵ mol⁻¹/dm³/s for A, B, C and D. The sensitivity of photopolymers containing a sensitizer dye and a TCT was obtained at an excitation of 488 nm corresponding to the emission peaks of argon ion laser of 1.1, 0.2, 0.54 and 9.1 mJ cm² for A, B, C and D. The results indicated that the static sensitization process from the fluorescent singlet excited state of the dyes to the ground state of TCT was predominant, and the high sensitivity for A and B was caused by the high absorbance at 488 nm and that for C by the high fluorescent quenching distance. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Photophysics, and Broadband Nonlinear Absorption of a Platinum(II) Complex with the 6‐(7‐Benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9 H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl Ligand

A platinum complex with the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl ligand ( 1 ) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. UV/Vis absorption, emission, and transient difference absorption of 1 were systematically investigated. DFT calculations were carried out on 1 to characterize the electronic ground state and aid in the understanding of the nature of low‐lying excited electronic states. Complex 1 exhibits intense structured ¹π–π* absorption at λ_abs<440 nm, and a broad, moderate ¹M LCT/¹LLCT transition at 440–520 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution. A structured ³π–π*/³M LCT emission at about 590 nm was observed at room temperature and at 77 K. Complex 1 exhibits both singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption from 450 nm to 750 nm, which are tentatively attributed to the ¹π–π* and ³π–π* excited states of the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine ligand, respectively. Z‐scan experiments were conducted by using ns and ps pulses at 532 nm, and ps pulses at a variety of visible and near‐IR wavelengths. The experimental data were fitted by a five‐level model by using the excited‐state parameters obtained from the photophysical study to deduce the effective singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption cross sections in the visible spectral region and the effective two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region. Our results demonstrate that 1 possesses large ratios of excited‐state absorption cross sections relative to that of the ground‐state in the visible spectral region; this results in a remarkable degree of reverse saturable absorption from 1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution illuminated by ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region for 1 are among the largest values reported for platinum complexes. Therefore, 1 is an excellent, broadband, nonlinear absorbing material that exhibits strong reverse saturable absorption in the visible spectral region and large two‐photon‐assisted excited‐state absorption in the near‐IR region.     

Synthesis of p-Nitro-stilbene Derivatives with Different Linking Bonds:An Attempt to Tune Spectroscopy of Dyes with Molecular Engineering

The synthesis, characterization and spectroscopy of a range of novel substituted p‐nitro‐stilbene derivatives with different bridging bonds were presented. The molecular structure characterization was carried out with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence of the compounds were investigated in various solvents. The maximal absorption wavelength of the nitro‐stilbene derivatives with an ether bond exhibited approximate 30 to 40 nm bathochromic shift compared to that of nitro‐stilbene dyes with an ester bond. Furthermore, the nitro‐stilbene derivatives with an ether bond displayed obvious photoluminescence, while the nitro‐stilbene derivatives with an ester bond showed weak fluorescence emission. The detection of the cyclic voltammograms of the nitro‐stilbene derivatives showed that the nitro‐stilbene compounds with different linking bonds exhibited different redox proceses at various scan rates. The theroretical calculations of HOMO and LUMO energy of nitro‐stilbene derivatives showed that the energy gaps between HOMO and LUMO of 3 and 4 were lower than those of 1 and 2 . The electron density of the frontier orbitals of nitro‐stilbene derivatives was observed to be affacted by the linking bonds, which thus made it possible to tune the spectroscopy of these dyes with chemical strategy. The differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry showed that the thermal stabilities of these dyes were not much affected by the linking bond. The results presented in this paper would be great interest in development of ideal nitro‐stilbene derivatives for special purposes.     

Theoretical studies on triaryamine‐based p‐type D‐D‐π‐A sensitizer

Development of triaryamine‐based nonmetallic dye sensitizers is a hot topic in the solar cell research. A series of triaryamine‐based dyes WS1 – WS7 were designed with W1 as the prototype. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent‐DFT calculations were used to investigate the effects of the attached donor D on the absorption spectra and electronic properties of the dyes. The light‐harvesting efficiency (LHE), hole injection force (ΔG_inj), dye regeneration force (ΔG_reg), and charge recombination force (ΔG_CR) for all the dyes were predicted. The insertion of D not only results in a red shift in the absorption spectra for all dyes but also achieves a broader absorption for visible light. Compared with that of the prototype, the absorption peak of the dye WS7 has a red shift of 95 nm and an oscillator strength increase of 29%. The absorption peak of WS7 is wider and stronger, and the absorption range extends to 900 nm. The LHE and ΔG_reg values of WS7 are 0.991 and ?1.49 eV, respectively. On overall evaluation, WS7 is a promising candidate of a p‐type dye sensitizer with good light absorption and dye regeneration efficiency.     

Synthesis and properties of π‐conjugated dithiafulvene oligomers by addition of a monofunctionalized compound

Dithiafulvene oligomers ( 3 ) were prepared by cycloaddition polymerization of aldothioketenes with their alkynethiol tautomers derived from 1,4‐diethynylbenzene ( 2 ) with the addition of 1‐ethynyl‐4‐methylbenzene ( 1 ) as a monofunctionalized compound. Different feed ratios of 2 / 1 were used to control the molecular weights of 3 . The structures of 3 were confirmed by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies in comparison with those of 2‐(4‐tolylidene)‐4‐tolyl‐1,3‐dithiol ( 4 ) as a model compound, which was obtained by the treatment of lithium 2‐tolylethynethiolate with water in Et₂O. The number‐average degree of polymerization (DP) and the number‐average molecular weight were measured by gel permeation chromatographic and ¹H NMR analysis. DP increased with an increasing feed ratio of 2 / 1 . The ultraviolet–visible spectra of 3 in diluted acetonitrile showed that the absorption maxima of 3 increased with an increasing DP of 3 . These redshifts are ascribed to an effective expansion of the π‐conjugation system in 3 . The oligomers exhibited a maximum conjugation length of seven repeating units. The redox properties of 3 were examined by cyclic voltammetry. The oxidation half‐peak potentials (E_p/2) of 3 were slightly cathodically shifted with increasing DP. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 708–715, 2003