Soluble Phenylenevinylene Polymers Containing Tetraphenylethene Units by Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Soluble phenylenevinylene polymers containing tetraphenylethene units are synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of 4‐triphenylvinylphenyl‐[2.2]paracyclophane‐1,9‐diene in the presence of the second generation Grubbs’ initiator. Various polymer molecular weights can be obtained by altering the monomer to initiator ratio. Isomerization is successfully conducted in dilute polymer solution under a UV light irradiation. The as‐prepared polymers with longer chain lengths show relatively strong emission with a photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 43% in solution. Aggregation induced emission is observed for the polymers containing the cis–trans microstructures when the water fraction reached 80% in water/THF mixture. The morphologies of the polymers containing the cis–trans and trans microstructures are distinctive which reveal sphere‐like particles and network‐like structures, respectively. These polymers are promising candidates for potential uses in fluorescence applications. Soluble phenylenevinylene polymers containing tetraphenylethene units are synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. Isomerization is successfully conducted in dilute polymer solution. Aggregation induced emission is observed for the polymers containing the cis–trans microstructures. The morphologies of the polymers containing the cis–trans and trans microstructures reveal spherical particles and network‐like structures, respectively.