Metallopolymers based on metal polypyridyl complexes can feature interesting photocatalytic properties. The light absorption of these polymers, which is caused by the MLCT in the wave-length range, can be extended by the introduction of additional dyes. As a consequence light of a wide spectral range can be absorbed by these systems. The energy can be transferred from the dye molecules to the metal complexes.In this context different metallopolymers featuring metal complexes (e.g., Ru(II)tpy22+, Os(II)(dmbpy)2(trz-py)2+), comonomers to tune the solubility as well as dye molecules for light harvesting (e.g., thiadizole dyes) have been synthesized via a controlled radical polymerization � namely the RAFT polymerization. Well-defined metallopolymers with adjustable molar mass as well as composition could be obtained (Figure 1).Figure 1:  Schematic representation of photoactive metallopolymers with light-harvesting dyes. The optical properties of the polymers have been characterized in detail. Energy transfer between the different dye molecules (up to three different thiadiazole dyes) as well as the metal complex could be observed.These metallopolymers are interesting materials for light harvesting and hydrogen generation/photocatalysis.

Photoactive metallopolymers with light-harvesting dyes

248th National Meeting (2014)

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