Synthesis of fluorescent poly(coumarin-triazoles) via a CuAAC 'click' reaction

Abstract

We describe a new fluorescent polymer system based on a coumarin-triazole functionality. The non-fluorescent 3-azidocoumarin-alkyne monomers are polymerized in a step-growth manner via a Cu (I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The process involves the conversion of a quenching azide group to 1,2,3-triazole in the monomer that leads to an increase in the intensity of fluorescence in the new polymer. The solubility and photophysical properties of the polymer were enhanced through co-polymerization with an aliphatic co-monomer.