Synthesis and Characterization of Linear, Branched and Hyperbranched Triphenylamine-Based Polyazomethines

Novel triphenylamine-based linear, hyperbranched and branched conjugated polyazomethines have been synthesized by free-catalyst solution polycondensation of 1,4-diaminobenzene with 4,4′-diformyl triphenylamine, 4,4′,4′′-triformyl triphenylamine and their mixture in different molar ratios. Linear polyazomethine has a good solubility in organic solvents while branched and hyperbranched polymers are partially soluble. A wholly soluble hyperbranched polyazomethine was obtained by end-capping of polymer at gelation point using a monofunctional aromatic amine, p-anisidine. Characterization of all polymers was made by 1 H-NMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy and thermal methods. Electrochemical behavior of polymers was studied by cyclic voltammetry using thin films cast from THF solution on a platinum disc working electrode in acetonitrile solvent and tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte.