C-H Activation-Based Multicomponent Polyannulations toward Fluorescent Heteroaromatic Polyelectrolytes for...

The development of facile and efficient synthetic methods for functional polyelectrolytes bearing charges on main chains is an important, yet challenging task. Herein, we develop a straightforward C-H activation-based multicomponent polyannulation method that can efficiently transform readily available internal diynes, aldehydes, and amines into diverse functional main-chain charged polyelectrolytes with high molecular weights (M_w up to 55000 g/mol) in high yields of up to 99.2%. Multisubstituted polycyclic heteroaromatic cations are generated in situ in polymer backbones as π spacers via successive C-H activation/annulation processes in a one-pot manner, which are hard to achieve by conventional methods. Benefiting from the unique structures, the obtained polyelectrolytes all exhibit excellent solubility and film-forming ability, high thermal and morphological stability, and readily tunable aggregate-state luminescence properties. Remarkable light-enhanced bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria was achieved due to the efficient reactive oxygen species generation capability of the polycations. Furthermore, the polyelectrolyte thin films can function as good sunlight-triggered antibacterial coating materials on various substrates, demonstrating application potential for the gentle sunlight sterilization of medical facilities.