Design of supramolecular metal complexing polymers: synthesis, complexation, and polymerization of 5,5"-bisfunctionalized terpyridine building blocks

5,5"-Bisfunctionalized 2,2' : 6' ,2"-terpyridine ligands were synthesized starting from functionalized pyridines using Stille-type carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The resulting hydroxy-terminated ligand opens new avenues towards the construction of metal-containing supramolecular polymers. A first terpyridine containing multiblock copolymer was obtained by the polycondensation of 5,5"-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2' : 6',2"-terpyridine with a bisisocyanate functionalized prepolymer. The successful formation of the terpyridine metal complexes in the polymer could be shown by UV/VIS spectroscopy.