Two series of poly(2,3-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (DP-PPV) derivatives containing long branched alkoxy chains or fluorenyl substituents were synthesized. The branched alkoxy groups were introduced to enhance the solubility for spin-coating processes. Bulky fluorenyl groups with two hexyl chains on the 9-position were introduced to increase steric hindrance and prevent close packing of the main chain. By controlling the feed ratio of different monomers during polymerization, DP-PPV derivatives with high molecular weights were obtained. All synthesized polymers possess high glass transitions temperatures and thermal stabilities. The maximum photoluminescent emissions of the thin films are located between 498 and 564 nm. Cyclic voltammetric analysis reveals that the band gaps of these light-emitting materials are in the range from 2.4 to 2.5 eV. A double-layer electroluminescent device with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT/polymer 2/Ca/Al exhibited a low turn-on voltage (4.0 V), a very high external quantum efficiency (3.39 cd/A), and a high brightness (16 910 cd/m2).

Two series of poly(2,3‐diphenyl‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene) (DP‐PPV) derivatives containing multiple bulky substituents were synthesized. In the first series, two different groups were incorporated on C‐5,6 positions of the phenylene moiety to increase steric hindrance and to obtain blue‐shifted emissions. In the second series, bulky fluorenyl groups with two hexyl chains on the C‐9 position were introduced on two phenyl pendants to increase the solubility as well as steric hindrance to prevent close packing of the main chain. Polymers with high molecular weights and fine‐tuned electro‐optical properties were obtained by controlling the feed ratio of different monomers during polymerization. The maximum photoluminescent emissions of the thin films are located between 384 and 541 nm. Cyclic voltammetric analysis reveals that the band gaps of these light‐emitting materials are in the range from 2.4 to 3.3 eV. A double‐layer EL device with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT/P4/Ca/Al emitted pure green light with CIE′1931 at (0.24, 0.5). Using copolymer P6 as the emissive layer, the maximum luminescence and current efficiency were both improved when compared with the homopolymer P4. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6738–6749, 2006