Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(pyridinium triflate)s with Alkyl and Aromatic Spacer Groups for Potential Use as Nonlinear Optic Materials.

A series of poly(pyridinium triflate)s with alkyl and aromatic spacer groups were prepared by ring transformation polymerizations between various pyrylium triflates and diamines. The polymers are soluble in polar aprotic solvents and form tough, clear, flexible films. These novel polymers were characterized by IR, NMR, UV, DSC, TMA, and TGA. The polymers were thermally stable to 340 °C under nitrogen, and had softening points that ranged from 151 to 255 °C. Thin films were shown to display electrostrictive behavior in the presence of an applied electric field, with the amount of transverse strain being proportional to the concentration of charge in the polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]