Abstract
The synthesis of bromoester-functionalized dialkylaminostyryl-2,2′-bipyridyl ligands and of the corresponding tris[dialkylaminostyryl-2,2′-bipyridine] metal(II) complexes are reported (M=Fe, Ru, Zn). These complexes are used as multifunctional metallo-initiators for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate. The resulting new star-shaped polymers combine the optical (UV-visible and luminescence) properties of the monomers with good processability, which allow to build high optical quality thin films by the spin-coating technique.