A new series of photoactive polymers were synthesized by condensing polymerization of different diarylidine monomers
1a,b–3a,b with 1,2-bis(chloromethylsilyl)ethane in Tetrahydrofuran and in the presence of butyllithium. These polymers
were characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. The optical properties of these polymers were comparable to
those of parent monomer units, by using ultraviolet–visible absorption and emission in solution, and they possessed the
physical characteristics of macromolecules. In addition, the thermal properties of these polymers were evaluated by thermogravimetric
analysis and DSC measurements. These polymers are thermally stable up to 207 °C except for polymer
P3a up to 180 °C and underwent degradation thereafter. The polymers exhibit glass transition temperatures lower than
0 °C except for polymer P3a where its Tg was at 35 °C. The molar masses of all polymers were determined by gel permeation
chromatography (GPC), and all polymers have high molar masses. The starting monomers 1a, 2a, and 3b were
crystallized and their structures in the crystal were determined by X-ray diffraction. The polymerizable points were found
not to be in proper spatial relation to allow for solid-state polymerization.