Main-chain-type 8-quinolinol polymers: Synthesis, optical properties, and complex formation with metals

Poly(aryleneethynylene)-type polymers containing S-quinolinol (qH) units in their main chain were prepared via Pd-catalyzed polycondensation. They were first obtained as -(SiMe2Bu)-Bu-t group protected polymers, and the -SiMe2(t)Bu protected polymer had number average molecular weights (M-n) of 4000-13000. Deprotection of the -SiMe2(t)Bu group with [NBu4]F gave the 8-quinolinol polymers. The polymers exhibited photoluminescence with a peak at about 470 urn and quantum yields of 15-49%, and the photoluminescence was tuned by addition of metal ions such as Zn2+ and Al3+. Reaction of the polymer with [Al(Et)(q')(2)] (q' = 2-methyl-8-quinolinolato) gave an Alq(3)-type polymer complex, which was also photoluminescent in solutions and film.