Fluorescent colour modulation in Zn(II)-based metallo-supramolecular polymer films by electronic-state control of the ligand

A series of Zn(II)-based metallo-supramolecular polymers were prepared by 1 : 1 complexation of Zn(ClO4)(2) and bis(terpyridine)s with electron-donating (alkoxy) or electron-withdrawing (cyano) groups at the 6-position of the peripheral pyridine moiety. The Zn(II)-based polymers displayed relatively high quantum yields (Phi(PL) = 0.68-0.76) in solution at room temperature. More importantly, they showed different luminescent colours of blue, cyan, and green in the film state, because of the large Stokes shift caused by the substituent effect of the ligand.