US Patent 11649320 Thiol-based post-modification of conjugated polymers

The present invention provides novel polymer compounds and methods and processes for polymerizing and synthesizing the new polymers by post-modifying conjugated polymers bearing unsaturated functionalities. The post-modifications are facilitated by light-mediated initiators, thermal initiators, redox-based initiators, small molecule-based initiators, or a combination thereof. Syntheses and post-modifications are carried out to high conversion via thiol-ene “click” chemistry-based mechanisms. The products comprise monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric materials with easily-accessible pendant functionalities which impart new, distinct, and/or improved properties.