Conjugated schiff base-type metal-containing polymers

The work in this thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of conjugated polymers containing Schiff base transition metal complexes. High molecular weight poly(salphenyleneethynylene)s (PSPEs) were synthesized using the Sonogashira-Hagihara protocol and they were characterized...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Leung, Alfred Chi Wook
Language:English
Published: University of British Columbia 2009
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2429/15889
Description
Summary:The work in this thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of conjugated polymers containing Schiff base transition metal complexes. High molecular weight poly(salphenyleneethynylene)s (PSPEs) were synthesized using the Sonogashira-Hagihara protocol and they were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Their optical properties were investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. PSPEs containing Zn saiphen moieties were found to exhibit strong aggregation that is facilitated by the presence of Zn to O interactions, and it was discovered that the polymers interact with various Lewis bases to undergo aggregation and deaggregation. New ladder-type conjugated polymers, as well as a series of model compounds that are representative of the repeating units of the polymers, were synthesized using Schiff base condensation methods. The electronic and magnetic properties of these ladder-polymers were studied using cyclic voltammetry, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.