Conjugated Copolymers That Shouldn't Be.

Multiple studies have explored using cage silsesquioxanes (SQs) as backbone elements in hybrid polymers motivated by their well-defined structures and physical and mechanical properties. As part of this general exploration, we report unexpected photophysical properties of copolymers derived from divinyl double decker (DD) SQs, [vinyl(Me)Si(O ) ][PhSiO ] [(O ) Si(Me)vinyl] (vinylDDvinyl). These copolymers exhibit strong emission red-shifts relative to model compounds, implying unconventional conjugation, despite vinyl(Me)Si(O-) siloxane bridges.