One-pot synthesis of a long-chain metal-backboned polymer

Abstract Metal-backboned polymers, featuring backbones composed exclusively of metal atoms interconnected by consecutive metal–metal bonds, have been proposed as a new class of materials for promising applications in optics, electronics, and magnetics; however, they remain unavailable for synthesis. Taking advantage of the long-range aurophilic attraction of gold, we report a straightforward one-pot synthesis method to fabricate metal-backboned polymers. This strategy achieves a degree of polymerization exceeding 50 and stable chain integrity in solution, providing a concise and efficient route for their production. Systematic structural characterizations revealed a one-dimensional Au backbone with continuous Au–Au bonds stabilized by quasi-covalent bonding in synergy with ligand protection. The resulting gold-backboned polymer (GBP) exhibits typical polymer behaviors, including the glass transition temperature and film-forming ability. In addition, GBP exhibits effective electron delocalization, semiconducting properties, and long-wavelength phosphorescence, with a preliminary electroluminescent fiber device demonstrating its potential in flexible optoelectronics. This study establishes a general and efficient route for the synthesis of metal-backboned polymers.