Hyperbranched: a universal conjugated polymer platform.

Out on a limb: Sonogashira coupling of a suitable AB(2) monomer containing two iodine and one alkyne group forms a hyperbranched conjugated polymer that is studded with iodine end groups (see picture: I purple). These iodine groups are a perfect handle for convenient, efficient, and high-yielding post-functionalization to access hyperbranched, fluorescent poly(phenyleneethynylene)s.