Synthesis of Imide-based Semiconducting Polymers by Nonstoichiometric Step-growth Polycondensation via Intramolecular Catalyst-transfer System

Based on the theory established by Carothers and Flory, strict stoichiometric control of AA- and BB-type monomers, where A and B indicate functional groups to be reacted with each other, is essential to obtain high-molar-mass polymers by step-growth polycondensation proceeding in a single-phase. However, this theory does not necessarily hold true if the reactivity of the rest of A or B functional group is altered by the reaction between A and B. Herein, we briefly review our recent progress in nonstoichiometric step-growth polycondensation via the intramolecular catalyst-transfer system to synthesize imide-based semiconducting polymers which would be suited for organic electronic applications.