Multiple Redox States and Multielectrochromism of Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers with Aromatic Diimide Pendant Groups

The conjugated macromolecules studied in this work consist of two distinct parts: a π-conjugated donor–acceptor main chain and perylenediimide (PDI) or naphthalenediimide (NDI) pendant groups. Donor–acceptor conjugated polymer films were electrochemically generated from macromonomers synthesized via either Stille or Suzuki coupling. Significant differences in the UV–vis–NIR spectra were recorded for the different redox states, and different reduction behaviors of the main polymer chain and the NDI units were recorded. The polymer films changed colors when they were reduced and oxidized, demonstrating their multielectrochromic properties. The study of the redox states of macromolecules containing electrochemically active electrochromic side groups expands the selection of multielectrochromic materials.