Conjugated polymer gels with dendritic hydrophilic side chains

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis and optical properties of poly(p-phenylene ethynylene) gels that features hydrophilic dendritic groups. The conjugated polymer gel particles with hydrophilic side chains have been prepared by a synthetic route that involves initial preparation of an analogue polymer gel having triester side chains through the modified Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in aqueous emulsion, and the following conversion of ester groups with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris). The size distribution of the water-swollen particles is relatively narrow with an average diameter of 900 nm. The synthesized particles showed fluorescence and volume changes in response to various solvent compositions.© 2009 The Society of Polymer Science. Japan.