Monoradically luminescent polymers by a super acid-catalyzed polymerization and deep-red electroluminescence

Luminescent radicals have received great attention recently due to their idiographic luminescent properties and potential 100%utilization efficiency of doublets under electrical excitation. However, luminescent radical polymers are rarely explored owing to their challenging molecular design and synthesis. Herein, we report an efficient approach to construct luminescent radical polymers by a super acid-catalyzed polymerization reaction proceeded at room temperature, which intrinsically avoid the heavy metal catalyst. The obtained polymers exhibit the unique paramagnetic signals, good thermal properties, and excellent photostability. Moreover, the quantifiable electroluminescence of such radical polymers was demonstrated for the first time.