Solution‐processable transmissive‐to‐green switching electrochromic polyamides bearing 2,7‐bis(diphenylamino)naphthalene units

A new 2,7‐bis(diphenylamino)naphthalene‐based diamine monomer, N,N′‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐N,N′‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2,7‐naphthalenediamine, was synthesized and polymerized with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids via the phosphorylation polyamidation reaction leading to a new series of redox‐active and electrochromic aromatic polyamides. The polyamides exhibited high solubility in many polar aprotic solvents, good film‐forming ability, and high thermal stability. They also showed stable electrochemical stability and anodically green coloring when oxidized. The two arylamino centers showed a weak electronic interaction via the 2,7‐naphthalenediyl bridge, and thus they started to oxidize almost at the same time. No intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) absorption was observed during the oxidation processes of these polyamides. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1409–1421