Synthesis, characterization, and micellization studies of coil-rod-coil and ABA ruthenium(II) terpyridine assemblies with π-conjugated electron acceptor systems

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistry Polymer chemistry, 2011-03, Vol.49 (6), p.1396-1408
• Main Authors: Schlütter, Florian, Pavlov, Georges M, Gohy, Jean-François, Winter, Andreas, Wild, Andreas, Hager, Martin D, Hoeppener, Stephanie, Schubert, Ulrich S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical modifications; Chemical reactions and properties; dynamic light scattering; Exact sciences and technology; micelles; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; supramolecular structures; TEM; ultracentrifugation
• ISSN: 0887-624X; 1099-0518
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.24560

A series of RuII heterodinuclear complexes of ABA-type with electron-deficient bis-terpyridines as building blocks was synthesized by (R-tpy)RuIIICl₃ complexation. These compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF, ESI-TOF mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The results were compared with a coil-rod-coil RuII metallo-supramolecular copolymer, which was synthesized by bis-complex formation between a hydrophilic ω-terpyridine poly(ethylene glycol) RuII mono-complex and a hydrophobic bis-terpyridine-functionalized rigid core. This amphiphilic RuII triblock copolymer showed self-assembly to clusters and micelles in aqueous solution, which was studied by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Applying velocity sedimentation experiments the number of amphiphilic RuII ABA triblock copolymer molecules within the micelles could be estimated. Finally, the photophysical properties of the RuII supramolecular assemblies were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy.