Engineering with metallo-supramolecular polymers: linear coordination polymers and networks

Here we demonstrate the synthesis of telechelics with different spacer units and different numbers of metal-complexing units, like α-methoxy-ω-(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyrid-4′-yl)-poly(ethylenoxide)₇₈ ( 1 ), bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyrid-4′-yl) di(ethylene glycol) ( 2 ), bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyrid-4′-yl)-poly(ethylene oxide)₁₈₀ ( 3 ) and tris[(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyrid-4′-yl)-oligo (ethylenoxy-)_3.33]glycerin ( 4 ) utilizing 4-chloro-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine. The complexation behaviour of a variety of metal-salts towards the telechelics was studied and different supramolecular architectures were investigated, such as symmetric polymeric complexes and linear coordination polymers. Furthermore, attempts have been undertaken to prepare metallo-supramolecular cross-linked systems.