Synthesis and photophysical properties of a covalently bonded palladiummeso-sulfophenylporphyrin-poly(vinyl alcohol)polymer with potential applications as an oxygen sensor

The synthesis and photochemical characterization of a covalently bonded palladium meso-sulfophenylporphyrin-poly(vinyl alcohol)polymer ( PVA - PdTPPS ), made via reaction of the chlorosulfonyl derivative of Pd meso-tetrakis-phenylporphyrin with the alcohol group of the polymer to form the sulfonate ester, is described. Absorption, emission and phosphorescence lifetime data are reported. In both the solid film and in aqueous solution phosphorescence decays in the absence of oxygen are non-monoexponential and suggest heterogeneity in the decay and oxygen quenching kinetics. As a solid film there is very little phosphorescence quenching by oxygen at moderate pressures of O 2 (0-30 Torr), but in aqueous solution oxygen quenches at a rate of 7.5 (±0.5) × 10 8 M . s −1 . The synthetic route described is versatile enough to be used with a variety of metalloporphyrins and polymers and this allows the possibility of extensive tuning in terms of lumophore lifetime, polarity, solubility, location in heterogeneous media, and compatibility with other polymers.