Poly(cyclooctene)s with pendant fluorescent and phosphorescent metal complexes

Poly(cyclooctene)s with pendant Alq₃ and fac-Ir(ppy)₃ were synthesized. Carbazole-based comonomers were used to increase the solubility of the polymers and to transfer the energy into metal complexes. Excitation spectra of all polymers provided evidence of energy transfer.We established that the polymer backbone does not interfere with the optical properties of the metal complexes. All copolymers retained the optical properties of their small molecule metal complex analogs in solution and the solid state, making these polymers promising materials for potential electro-optical applications.