Carbazole-Based Optical Polymers with Both High Refractive Index and High Abbe Number

Carbazole-based polymers having a high refractive index of above 1.70 and desirable Abbe number are reported here. These polymers were prepared by the photoclick thiol–ene reaction of two types of allyl-containing carbazole monomers with thiophenol or mercaptans. Among the monomers, those possessing allyl substituents at positions 2 and 7 give the polymers with higher refractive index and satisfactory Abbe number. The polymers also display good thermal and mechanical properties. Moreover, the films prepared from these polymers exhibit good surface roughness. This is a first example regarding the high refractive index polymers derived from allyl-containing carbazoles, and the results suggest the polymers have a potential application as the optical materials in the industry.