Low-Band Gap Polyplatinaynes with Electron-Accepting Silole Units

The synthesis and thermal, redox and photoluminescence properties of a soluble donor-acceptor polyplatinayne with the electron-accepting silole ring and its model compound are described. The polymer has an optical band gap of 2.10 eV which is much lower than that of thienyl- or silyl-bridged congeners. The incorporation of electron-accepting silole unit in the metallopolymer main chain creates a new π-conjugated system that features unique donor-acceptor characteristics.