Highly luminescent Ru(ii) metallopolymers: photonic and redox properties in solution and as thin films

Abstract

Highly luminescent metallopolymers have been prepared from condensation reactions between the primary alkyl amines contained within a poly(styrene-p-(aminomethyl)styrene) polymer backbone and carboxylic acid groups on [Ru(bpy)₂(CAIP)](ClO₄)₂, where CAIP is 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline. The photophysical properties of these metallopolymers including emission and absorption spectroscopy, luminescent lifetimes and time-resolved emission anisotropy show strong solvent and pH dependence. These properties are rather insensitive to the loading of the metal centres on the polymer backbone suggesting weak electronic interactions between adjacent centres and the polymer backbone. The polymers form continuous films when drop-cast at an indium tin oxide interface and retain their strong luminescence. This processability and intense luminescence make them potentially useful for sensing and display applications.