Synthesis, characterization and thermal properties of metaloquinolate-containing polymers

The monomer, 5-methyl(2-methacryloylethyloxy)-8-quinolinol(HEMA-CH2-Hq), which possesses both double bond and 8-hydroxyquinoline groups, was synthesized from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 5-chloromethyl-8-quinolinol hydrochloride. The model polymer with 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands was obtained by free-radical copolymerization with styrene. So 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 cross-linking. Both polymer and polymer complexes were analyzed by FT–IR, UV–vis, DSC, TGA and photoluminescence spectroscopies. They are soluble in common solvents and easy to form films. The use of AlQ2 and ZnQ avoided the cross-linking caused by the AlQ3, ZnQ2 formation between different polymer chains. High glass transition temperature, good thermal stability, and strong yellow–green fluorescence were observed for the prepared polymers. These polymers were expected to have the potential application in yellow–green OLEDs.