Nonconventional Fluorescent Polynorbornenes Bearing Aminosuccinimide Side Groups

Abstract In this contribution, a new class of fluorescent polynorbornenes containing side chains that homogeneously decorated with aminosuccinimide side groups as nonconventional chromophores is introduced. First of all, monomers M1 – M3 are synthesized in an efficient and straightforward fashion by means of Michael addition between three kinds of alkyl amines and monomer precursor 1 , a compound containing norbornene (polymerizable group) and maleimide (Michael acceptor) groups. Subsequently, ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of M1 – M3 is conducted to generate polymers P1 – P3 with high molecular weights ( M n values exceeding 9800) and narrow molecular weight distributions ( Ð values no more than 1.20), respectively. Quantitative conversion of monomers and microstructural integrity of polymers are verified in all cases. Finally, thermal stability, glass transition behavior, wettability, and optical properties of polymers P1 – P3 are investigated. In particular, this new class of fluorescent polymeric materials exhibits blue emission (470–478 nm) under UV irradiation with large Stokes shifts (over 110 nm).