Resonance energy transfer in the solution phase photophysics of -Re(CO)3 L+ pendants bonded to poly(4-vinylpyridine).

Polymers with general formula ([(vpy) 2vpyRe(CO) 3(tmphen) (+)]) n ([(vpy) 2vpyRe(CO) 3(NO 2-phen) (+)]) m (NO 2-phen = 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline; tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline); vpy = 4-vinylpyridine) were prepared and their morphologies were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Multiple morphologies of aggregates from these Re I polymers were obtained by using different solvents. Energy transfer between MLCT Re-->tmphen and MLCT Re-->NO 2 -phen excited states inside the polymers was evidenced by steady state and time-resolved spectroscopy. Current Forster resonance energy transfer theory was successfully applied to energy transfer processes in these polymers.