Open Collections

Abstract

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.