Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Backbone Polymers Containing Side-Chain Pendant Ruthenium(II) Bis-Terpyridine Complexes With an Elongated Conjugated System

A series of functionalized methacrylate monomers has been polymerized utilizing the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization procedure in order to synthesize side-chain pendant Ru(II) bis-terpyridine complexes in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymers by three different reaction routes. The polymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), 1H NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The photophysical properties of the polymers were studied by UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy. Temperature dependent luminescence lifetime measurements were carried out for both monomers and polymers. In addition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were performed. All polymers revealed the typical characteristics of the Ru complex in terms of optoelectronical and electrochemical features combined with the film forming properties of a common polymer.