Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Vinyl-2,2′-bipyridine Monomer and Its Homopolymeric/Copolymeric Metal Complexes

Novel hybrid materials, based on polymeric ruthenium complexes, have been synthesized and characterized. The preparation of a new vinylic tris(bipyridine)ruthenium complex in high yields enabled the synthesis of soluble polymeric materials with high metal loading, using a controlled polymerization technique such as atom transfer radical polymerization. Moreover, combination of this monomeric complex with other monomers, known for their electron or hole transporting properties, led to soluble copolymers of various desired ruthenium loadings. Characterization of the synthesized polymers and copolymers was performed using NMR, SEC, and viscometry. The polymer−metal hybrid materials’ optical properties were studied in detail through UV−vis and photoluminescence spectroscopies, showing the [Ru II (bpy) 3 ] complexes’ intense optoelectronic characteristics, also in combination with the optical properties of the oxadiazole or carbazole units in the copolymer case.