Ruthenium Bipyridine-Containing Polymers and Block Copolymers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We present the direct and efficient synthesis of homopolymers and block copolymers bearing a dense arrangement of ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) complexes as pendant groups via ring-opening metathesis polymerization. UV/vis absorbance and luminescence studies as well as cyclic voltammetry show that the properties of the monomer are retained in the homopolymers and block copolymers. Our studies suggest that the polymers can be described as an array of independent chromophores, whose properties remain essentially unchanged upon linking to the polymer backbone. The Ru-containing block copolymers can self-assemble in selective solvents to generate large compound micellar aggregates, which retain their luminescence upon micellization.