Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight metaloquinolate‐containing polymers

In this article, a new method to synthesize novel metaloquinolate (AlQ₃, ZnQ₂)‐containing polymers is reported. A model polymer with 8‐hydroxyquinoline ligands can be obtained by free‐radical copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA), then metaloquinolate (AlQ₃, ZnQ₂)‐containing polymers are prepared by coordinating reaction with di(8‐hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (AlQ₂) chelates or mono (8‐hydroxyquinoline) zinc (ZnQ) chelates without crosslinking. The structures of products are confirmed by NMR, FTIR, ultraviolet‐visible, elementary analysis, photoluminescence spectrum, and gel permeation chromatography analysis. They are soluble in common solvents and suitable to form films. The use of AlQ₂ and ZnQ avoided the crosslinking caused by the AlQ₃, ZnQ₂ formation between different polymer chains. Different from the traditional small organic molecules in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) fabrication, the polymer can be processed by spin coating without phase separation. Compared to the PMMA or MMA‐co‐HEMA‐CH₂‐Hq, the T_g of the metaloquinolate‐containing polymers was much higher. It should be of interest for OLED applications. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1945–1952, 2006