Hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC)-Incorporated Single- and Double-Stranded Polynorbornenes

Double-stranded polymeric ladderphane 1 using HBC as linkers and the single-stranded comblike polynorbornene 2 with HBC pendants are synthesized by the ring-opening metathesis polymerization using the first-generation Grubbs catalyst. The photophysical properties of these HBC-incorporated polymers indicate significant interactions between adjacent polynuclear aromatic chromophores which are comparable with those of aggregated forms of the HBC cores. No liquid crystal properties, however, are observed in these polymers. The STM images of 1 and 2 demonstrate the unique properties of polynorbornene derivatives having N-aryl-5,6-endopyrrolidene pendants or linkers where the polymers are self-assembled to form ordered two-dimensional arrays on the HOPG surface.