The polymers discussed in this contribution consist of phenylenevinylene chromophores
linked together across flexible biphenyl “hinges” to shorten the effective conjugation length and to give
sufficiently twisted structures that interchain aggregation is limited or prevented. They are poly[(2,5-dihexyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(4,4‘-dihexyloxy-3,3‘-biphenylenevinylene)] (1), poly[(2,5-dihexyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(2,2‘-dihexyloxy-3,3‘-biphenylenevinylene)] (2), and poly[(2,5-dihexyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene)-alt-(2,2‘-biphenylenevinylene)] (3). Absorption spectra in dilute solution and solid
states are very similar for 1−3, consistent with the absence of aggregation effects in their ground electronic
states. Photoluminescence emission spectra showed substantial red shifts in the solid state relative to
dilute solution phase spectra. Solution emission quantum yields ranged from 0.26 to 0.42. LEDs based
on 1−3 gave blue-green emission with maxima in the 480−510 nm range. The similarity of the
photoluminescence and electroluminescence spectra for the polymers is consistent with emission from
the same or very similar excited-state species. For LEDs based upon the highest quantum efficiency
photoluminescent emitter, 1, better luminance was achieved using PEDOT-PSS hole injection layers in
double-layer LEDs than using PPV.