6,6'-Bisfunctionalized 2,2'-bipyridines as metallo-supramolecular initiators for the living polymerization of oxazolines

[Cu(I) {6,6′-bis(bromomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine}2](PF6) complexes were used as metallo-supramolecular initiators for the polymerization of 2-oxazolines resulting in defined polymers with a central 6,6′-disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine unit. The living character of the polymerization was demonstrated with the linear relationship between the weight-average molecular weight M̄w and the [monomer]/[initiator] ratio as well as in the synthesis of block copolymers. The metal ions could be removed resulting in uncomplexed polymers with a free central metal binding unit.