Polymers Containing Metals in the Side Chains: Impact on Self Assembly and Properties

Polymer architectures containing metal-ligands in their side chain represent a diverse approach to generating multi-functional materials. The ability to define a versatile synthetic platform will enable many chemistries and architectures to be studied. This report describes our latest efforts to prepare these unique polymers; random and block copolymers have been successfully prepared. Subsequent functionalization with metal ions leads to a variety of properties including metal induced gelation, solvochromic and metal ion sensors, and unique hierarchical self-assembled structures.