Fluorescent metallopolymers with Zn(II) in a Schiff base/phenoxide coordination environment

An iminic derivative of 2-amino-6-methylbenzothiazole, able to generate on deprotonation a mononegative ligand moiety and the corresponding tetracoordinate zinc (II) complex are reported. The complex is centrosymmetrical and difunctionalized with two OH groups that have been used for omo- and co-polymerisation with a diisocyanate to form four polyurethanes with various zinc content. The thermodynamic and optical properties of the complex and of the polymers were investigated by calorimetry, polarizing microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique. In particular, the fluorescence properties of the complex and of the polymers were explored.