Preparation of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) derivatives by a debromination-chain polymerization-debromination sequence

A debromination-chain polymerization-debromination route to poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives has been devised. The use of a symmetric monomer precludes head-to-head or tail-to-tail defects, producing more uniform PPV via an isolable, soluble polymer precursor.