Iridium-Containing Polymers Based on Norbornene and 7-Oxa-norbornene Monomers: Synthesis and Photophysical and Biological Properties

Polymers containing oligoether groups, amino acid fragments, and luminophore complexes of iridium(III) in side chains are synthesized by metathesis polymerization. The photophysical properties of the compounds obtained are studied. The iridium-containing copolymers show intense green, blue-green, and red photoluminescence, and the color is determined by the nature of the iridium(III) complexes contained in polymeric emitters. Polymeric products are soluble in water and form micelles with average sizes of 19–54 nm. The cytotoxicity of the polymers with respect to A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells is determined.