Pyridinium-activated alkyne-based spontaneous amino-yne click polymerization toward n-pi conjugated polyelectrolytes

Thanks to its high efficiency, excellent selectivity, simple operation and mild reaction conditions, the click polymerization has become a powerful tool for the synthesis of polymers. Among the reported click polymerizations, the activated alkyne-based one has drawn much attention. However, the preparation of conjugated polymers with charged main chains by this click polymerization has rarely been reported. Herein, by connection of ethynyl group with pyridinium moiety at its para-position, we present a new spontaneous click polymerization of pyridinium-activated diynes and aromatic diamines toward regioregular n-pi conjugated polyelectrolytes. The resultant polymers possess excellent thermal stability and good film forming properties. Thus, this pyridinium-activated alkyne-based spontaneous amino-yne click polymerization provides a powerful and straightforward tool for the preparation of main-chain charged n-pi conjugated polymers, which greatly expands the scope of click polymerization and opens up new avenues for the development of functional polymers.