Synthesis and Resonance Energy Transfer Study on a Random Terpolymer Containing a 2-(Pyridine-2-yl)thiazole Donor-Type Ligand and a Luminescent [Ru(bpy)2(2-(triazol-4-yl)pyridine)]2+ Chromophore

A statistical terpolymer, containing a 2-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,3-thiazole donor-type system and an acceptor-type [Ru(bpy)2(2-(triazol-4-yl)pyridine)]2+ chromophore as well as methyl methacrylate as comonomer, was synthesized using the controlled reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) approach. Additionally, the appropriate donor- and acceptor-type copolymers were synthesized, whereas only a maximum content of 5 mol % of the ruthenium(II) chromophore could be incorporated into the macromolecules caused by its nitro-functionalization. The resulting terpolymer exhibited a direct Förster resonance energy transfer from the thiazole to the ruthenium(II) subunit as indicated by emission spectroscopy of the Ru(II) phosphorescence as well as lifetime measurements and quantum yield determinations of the thiazole fluorescence. The efficiency of the energy transfer was found to be higher than 70%.