Cross-linking and de-cross-linking of triarylimidazole-based polymer

The cross-linking reaction of the triarylimidazole-containing polymer (poly(DVT)) (1)was proceeded with K3[Fe(CN)6] and KOH, yielding the intramolecular (2) and intermolecular cross-linked poly(DVT) (3) by tuning the polymer concentration. The resulting cross-linked poly(DVT) (2) and (3) were de-cross-linked by visible light irradiation in the presence of ethanethiol, giving ethylthio-capped, de-cross-linked poly(DVT) (4).224