First GPC results of terpyridine based chain extended supramolecular polymers: comparison with viscosity and analytical ultracentrifugation

Abstract The molecular weight of an extended metallo-supramolecular polymer, based on a α,ω- bis -terpyridine-poly(ethylene glycol) polymer linked via ruthenium(II) ions, was determined by gel permeation chromatography, viscosimetry as well as analytical ultracentrifugation. An optimized GPC method was applied for the first time to this kind of chain extended supramolecular polymers and the obtained results showed a good agreement with viscosimetry and analytical ultracentrifugation. A chain extended polymer with an average molecular weight of around 140 000 was found. These results clearly demonstrate that well-soluble high-molecular-weight metal-containing coordination polymers that are based on well-defined telechelics can be synthesized and fully characterized.