Versatile approach for the synthesis of side-chain aromatic polyquinolines for E-O devices

A versatile, generally applicable synthetic methodology for nonlinear optical (NLO) side-chain aromatic polyquinolines has been developed. The resulting polyquinolines possess excellent solubility, processibility, large E-O coefficients, and good temporal stability. The obvious advantages of this method over others include flexibility in selecting NLO chromophores, ease in controlling the chromophore loading level and the ability to adjust the polymer backbone structures in order to fine-tune their physical properties for device applications. The obtained NLO side-chain aromatic polyquinolines could be efficiently poled due to the introduction of a pendent phenyl spacer. Further cross-linking of the poled polymers through the intact OH groups on the polymer with polyepoxide at high temperature may further enhance both their mechanical properties and temporal stability.