Intramolecular excimer formation in macromolecules—V. Head-to-head polystyrene,block copolymers of styrene and butadiene and regular condensation polymers of α-methylstyrene

Studies of the photophysical properties of head-to-head polystyrene, block copolymers poly(butadiene-b-styrene) and polystyrenes of various sequence length of styrene chromophore and regular copolymers of α-methylstyrene indicate that interactions between phenyl chromophores located distantly upon the macromolecule are not of major significance in determination of excimer formation in styrene polymers. It is concluded that intramolecular excimer formation in polystyrenes occurs primarily as a consequence of interactions between nearest neighbour chromophores in the polymer chain. The influence of polymer coil dimensions upon intramolecular excimer formation is demonstrated. The photophysical behaviour of poly(butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymers shows the importance of intramolecular energy migration in population of potential excimer sites.