Chirality induction in platinum-containing polyaryleneethynylenes by exchange from achiral phosphine ligands to P-chiral phosphine ligands

This study deals with chirality induction to the main chain of platinum (Pt)-containing aryleneethynylene polymers by ligand exchange reactions. The optically inactive polymers containing –(–CC–trans-Pt(PPh3)2–CC–)– moieties in the main chain undergo ligand exchange reactions with P-chiral diphosphines, (R,R)-BenzP* and (R,R)-QuinoxP* to give optically active polymers containing –(–CC–cis-Pt(P-chiral diphosphine)–CC–)– moieties. The ligand-exchanged polymers exhibit CD signals based on the conjugated main chain, indicating chirality induction to the main chain by the P-chiral ligands. The QuinoxP*-ligated polymers emit photoluminescence likely based on the transition from the QuinoxP* moieties. Quantum mechanical calculations predict reasonable CD, UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra. [Display omitted] •Achiral Pt-containing polymers undergo ligand exchange with P-chiral diphosphines.•The ligand-exchanged Pt-containing polymers exhibit CD signals.•Chirality is induced to the Pt-containing polymers.•Quantum mechanical calculations properly predict the optical properties.