Accessing new microporous polyspirobifluorenes via a C/Si switch.

Microporous spirosilabifluorene networks were synthesizedviaYamamoto coupling of tetrabromospirosilabifluorene precursors. They exhibit bright fluorescence that is quenched in the presence of nitroaromatics. The C/Si switch has subtle effects on the optical properties of the spirobifluorene network and provides a convenient route to 3,3 ',6,6 '-coupled and other polybifluorenes.