Metallo-supramolecular polymers : towards new functional materials with controlled nanostructures

Supermolecular polymers are highly interested in the field of novel material development. Coordination polymers by complexing oligomeric precursors bearing metal ligand is considered to be promising. Linear coordination polymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and terpyridine metal complexes are synthesized. Well-soluble high molecular weight coordination polymers were prepared by complexing low-molecular weight .ALPHA.,.OMEGA.-bisterpyridinyl poly(ethylene glycol) with iron (II) and ruthenium (II) ions, respectively. Thus synthesized polymers were characterized by UV-vis and NMR spectroscopy, viscosity and TGA. Thin films of these polymers reveal morphology of lamellar structure by AFM.