Zn^II bisterpyridine metallopolymers: Improved processability by the introduction of polymeric side chains

Introducing well-defined polymeric side chains to bisterpyridine coordination polymers enables the synthesis of materials with tailor-made optical and mechanical properties. The polymers are introduced either by a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (grafting-onto) or an atom transfer radical polymerization (polymerization-from) method. The resulting metallopolymers exhibit improved solubility in common organic solvents and can, therefore, be inkjet-printed from chlorinated benzene solutions. The photophysical properties of the so-produced homogeneous films are investigated and a proof-of-principle polymer light-emitting device can be constructed.