Abstract
The optical and electroluminescent properties of a new chiral electroluminescent polyimide consisting of alternating conjugated segments and chiral units is described. The synthesized polymer exhibited high thermal stability (Td = 350 °C), high electron affinity, and good thin-film forming ability. The C2 symmetry of the chiral unit induces a secondary structure which reduces all types of intra and interchain interactions. The incorporation of a well-defined phenyleneethynylene substructure within the chiral backbone allowed the fabrication of a monolayer electroluminescent polymeric diode with high performance which compares most favorably to related poly-phenyleneethynylene.