Abstract
Novel photoresponsive and liquid crystalline conjugated polymer was synthesized by introducing the dithienylethene moiety into the side chain of poly-para-phenylenevinylene (PPV). Observation of polarizing optical microscope demonstrated that the polymer exhibits a main-chain type liquid crystallinity. Reversible photochemical isomerization of the dithienylethene moiety was observed in both in CHCl3 solution and in cast film. Fluorescence of the polymer was drastically quenched when the photochromic moiety changed from an open form to a closed one upon irradiation of ultraviolet. The quenched fluorescence was well recovered through the reverse photoisomerization from the closed to open form.
