The postpolymerization modification of block copolymers has seen a growing interest in the past decade ranging from fundamental synthesis and structure−property relationships to potential applications. The resulting side-chain-modified block copolymers can retain the properties inherent to the parent block copolymer core, while introducing side-chain functionality that can allow for a tunable handle on material properties and consequently applications. In this Perspective, we discuss different methods of postpolymerization side-chain modification of block copolymers using either covalent or noncovalent strategies. We also describe potential applications, discuss some of the challenges remaining in this area, and suggest strategies for the advancement of the field.

A series of star-shaped organic semiconductors have been synthesized from 1,3,6,8-tetrabromopyrene. The materials are soluble in common organic solvents allowing for solution processing of devices such as light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). One of the materials, 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-butoxyphenyl)pyrene, has been used as the active emitting layer in simple solution-processed OLEDs with deep blue emission (CIE = 0.15, 0.18) and maximum efficiencies and brightness levels of 2.56 cd/A and >5000 cd/m(2), respectively.

An optimized synthetic methodology which allows for efficient and scalable access to the important fused-ring heterocycle thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and the first reported isolation of thieno[3,2-b]furan is presented. The properties of thieno[3,2-b]furan were assessed through a detailed analysis of the NMR data and an investigation of the chemical reactivity. Thieno[3,2-b]furan is chemically robust and offers good selectivity toward functionalization at the 2-position via bromination and the 5-position via deprotonation.