A series of poly(9,9-di-n-octyl-fluorene-2,7-vinylene)s
(PFVs) containing metalloporphyrins at the chain ends with different
conjugation lengths (ca. average 8 or 24 FV repeat units), PFV-[Por(M)]2, have been prepared by olefin metathesis of the vinyl chain
ends in PFVs (prepared by acyclic diene metathesis polymerization
by ruthenium–carbene catalysts) using molybdenum–alkylidene
catalyst (reagent) followed by Wittig-type cleavage with formyl porphyrin
containing different metal ions [Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pt(II)].
Effects of the metalloporphyrins on photophysical properties of PFVs
were studied by means of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.
The fluorescence spectral profile from PFV moiety in all the polymers
with end-porphyrins was almost identical to that of the reference
PFV. However, fluorescence quantum yields were remarkably lower, depending
upon the central metal ion and the chain length. The observed reduction
of the quantum yields is ascribed to intramolecular energy transfer
to the end-groups as well as enhancement of intersystem crossing within
the PFV unit. In the zinc derivative, PFV(High)-[Por(Zn)]2, fluorescence from zinc porphyrin was also observed with
a higher fluorescence quantum yield. It was found that radiative rate
constant in zinc porphyrin moiety was enhanced about 3 times, suggesting
specific interaction between the PFV and the porphyrin. On the other
hand, time-resolved fluorescence signals of PFV moiety in all the
PFV end-modified by metalloporphyrins decay with two or more components
without any change of spectral profile. A model in which the excitation
is localized in several pieces of FV units is proposed.