Formation of Polyelectrolyte Complexes from Cationic Polyfluorenes and ssDNA

Abstract

Trimethylphosphonium-substituted polyfluorenes (PTMPHFs) with controlled molecular weights were synthesized using the Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation procedure, and their recognition properties towards various biomolecules were examined. Upon the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes with single stranded DNA (particularly polyadenine and polycytosine), the UV-vis absorption of PTMPHF was red-shifted and its fluo-rescence was quenched.