Complex Formation Between Poly(dimethylsilane) and Cyclodextrins

Poly(dimethylsilane)s form inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins in high selectivity to give crystalline compounds. β‐Cyclodextrin forms complexes with poly(dimethylsilane)s of low molecular weight only, γ‐cyclodextrin with poly(dimethylsilane)s of high molecular weight in high yield, and α‐cyclodextrin does not form complexes with poly(dimethylsilane) at all. Complexes were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods and X‐ray diffraction.     

Poly(cyclodiborazane)s

This paper summarizes our recent works on the synthesis and properties of the organoboron polymers, especially poly(cyclodiborazane)s. The polymers consist of boron–nitrogen four-membered rings, and are highly stable against air and moisture. The obtained polymers exhibited interesting properties as a novel type of π-conjugated polymers with intramolecular charge transfer structure. Their stability and potential as functional materials would be important and informative both in industry and boron chemistry.     

Poly(azomethine) Rotaxanes: Novel Water Soluble Supramolecular Polymers with High Molar Mass

A novel type of supramolecular poly(azomethine) was synthesized by the polycondensation of an inclusion complex of β‐cyclodextrin/poly(oxypropylene)diamine with one of β‐cyclodextrin/terephthaldehyde and a subsequent reaction with [60]fullerene as the end capping agent. Molar mass determination by gel permeation chromatography showed that the polymers had a high molar mass (about 150 kg · mol⁻¹) with a very narrow polydispersity. Isothermal titration calorimetric studies confirmed that each poly‐(oxypropylene)diamine unit could host seven cyclodextrin molecules, which was further supported by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling studies. Additional characterization by ¹³C NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy, as well as by thermogravimetric analysis, confirmed the structure of the cyclodextrin‐based polyrotaxane.

     

Thienopyrazine‐Based Low‐Bandgap Poly(heteroaryleneethynylene)s for Photovoltaic Devices

Summary: Low‐bandgap π‐conjugated polymers that consist of alkyl thiophene/alkoxy phenylene and 2,3‐diphenylthieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine units have been prepared in high yields by a Sonogashira polycondensation. The copolymers are characterized by NMR, IR, UV, GPC, and elemental analysis. Thin films of the polymers P1 , P2 , and P3 exhibit an optical bandgap of ≈1.57–1.60 eV. Under simulated AM 1.5 conditions P2/PCBM devices on polyester foil provide a short circuit current of I_SC = 10.72 mA · cm⁻², an open circuit voltage of V_oc = 0.67 V, and a power conversion efficiency of 2.37%.

Schematic of the photovoltaic device made from the polymers synthesized here.     

New ferrocene-containing structures: Poly(silyl ester)s

Two new polymeric structures containing ferrocene units along the chains, namely poly(silyl ester)s, have been synthesized and characterized: a geminal poly(silyl ester) (g-PSE) and one having a disiloxane spacer between the silyl ester groups (s-PSE). The condensation polymerization of AA/BB monomer systems in solution was used in both cases as preparation method involving a silicon-containing diol, (diphenylsilane diol or 1,3-bis(hydroxy)-tetramethyldisiloxane), and 1,1′-di(chlorocarbonyl)ferrocene. The polymers were investigated by differential pulse voltammetry in order to evaluate the redox behavior. Due to the presence of the silyl ester groups in the chain, these polymers are hydrolytically degradable.