Synthesis of asymmetric imine polymers for highly selective sorting of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes by a two-in-one strategy†

Using a two-in-one strategy, we synthesize three polymers of fluorene derivative with asymmetric structure functionalized with two types of arenes with different orientations and electronic properties. The polymers are connected by an imine bond, hanging on two sides of fluorene with different orientations, one is fluorene–C–N and the other one is fluorene–N–C. In such asymmetric polymers, electron density, conjugation degree, and even the stability of the imine bond can be finely tuned. demonstrates ultra-high selectivity towards s-SWCNTs and can be easily removed for releasing bare s-SWCNTs under acid stimuli. The theory calculation and photophysical experiments help us gain a better understanding of the relationship between polymer structure and separation ability towards s-SWCNTs.