Access to supramolecular polymers: Large scale synthesis of 4′-chloro-2,2′ : 6′,2′′-terpyridine and an application to poly(propylene oxide) telechelics

A new improved large scale synthesis of 4-chloro-2,2 : 6,2-terpyridine is described in detail. Williamson type ether reactions were utilized for a high yield reaction of 4-chloro-2,2 : 6,2-terpyridine with ,-bishydroxy-functionalized poly(propylene oxide). The completeness of the functionalization was proven by NMR, GPC and MALDI-TOF-MS investigations. The application of ruthenium(III)/(II) chemistry allowed then the construction of ABA type non-covalent architectures.