Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) has been demonstrated in new intramoleculary hydrogen bonded (IHB) polymers of interest as photostabilizers, triplet quenchers, photochromic materials, laser dyes and electroluminescent materials. The new IHB polymers containing the 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole moiety in the main chain were used to explore the effects of polymer structure, extended conjugation and competition with excimer formation on the ESIPT process. It was found that polymer structure, and particularly extent of conjugation, affects an IHB polymer's ability to exhibit ESIPT.