Induced Charge Effect by Co(II) Complexation on the Conformation of a Copolymer Containing a Bidentate 2-(1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)pyridine Chelating Unit

Poly(alkyl methacrylate) copolymers embedding bidentate trzpy chelating units as comonomer in the side chains are synthesized utilizing the controlled radical RAFT polymerization process. The free trzpy units are complexed by iron(II) and cobalt(II) ions, which results in characteristic UV-Vis absorption bands and an increase of solution viscosity. The intramolecular complexation with Co(II) ions is studied by different analytical ultracentrifugation experiments. Following the addition of a small amount of Co(II) ions, a significant decrease of the intrinsic sedimentation coefficient is observed that can be explained by the elongation of the individual polymer coils due to the electrostatic repulsion of the coordinated Co(II) ions.