New functional polymers and materials based on 2,2′:6′,2-terpyridine metal complexes

New inorganic-organic hybrid structures based on metal complexes have become of increasing interest over the last few decades in the search for new materials. Many different polypyridyl metal complexes have been investigated. Recently, a strong increase in interest regarding 2,2':6',2-terpyridine has been observed. In particular, octahedral bis-2,2': 6',2-terpyridine metal complexes offer the advantages of increased symmetry and, in the case of ruthenium (III)/ruthenium(II) complexation, an entrance to a directed complexation technique. Apart from the combination with polymeric systems, ordered inorganic-organic structures on surfaces are becoming better understood concurrently with the development of sophisticated nanotechnology characterization techniques. There are many ongoing efforts that include terpyridine complex structures, especially concerning photophysical processes such as solar light to energy conversion. This review deals with the incorporation of terpyridine complexes into polymeric structures such as poly(ethylene glycol), poly(styrene), dendrimers, biomacromolecules, micelles, and resins, as well as the combination of terpyridine complexes with surfaces for electrocatalytic, photophysical, and self-assembly purposes.