Quantum dots were synthesised from (Li4)[Cd10Se4(SPh)16]
and hexadecylamine as described previously9 to give CdSe coreparticles capped with hexadecylamine. Ligand exchange was
then performed to displace the hexadecylamine with one of two
polymerisable ligands 2 or 5 (Scheme 1).8,10† The structure of
each of the ligands is based on the commonly used quantum dot
capping agent trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) 1, since TOPO
has a good affinity for CdSe quantum dots. Success of ligand
exchange was confirmed by 1H NMR and by observing the
increase in solubility of the coated quantum dots in styrene.