The Chemistry of Silicon-Containing Ladder π-Conjugated Systems

Abstract

The intramolecular reductive cyclization of bis (ο-silylphenyl) acetylenes with lithium naphthalenide produces bis-silicon-bridged stilbenes. Based on this new cyclization, a series of silicon-bridged ladder π-conjugated systems consisting of the p-phenylenevinylene framework have been synthesized, including the partially or fully silicon-bridged bis (styryl) benzenes, extended ladder oligo (p-phenylenevinylene) s, and bis-silicon-bridged stilbene-based π-conjugated polymers. All the ladder π-electron systems show intense fluorescence in the visible region. The detailed elucidation of their photophysical properties revealed the significant effect of the silicon moieties on the fluorescence properties.