Polystyrene incorporating carboxylate group as a-end was synthesized by using initiator 4-chloromethyl benzoic acid via atom transfer radical polymerization. Its omega-chlorine end-group was transformed by cumic acid, diethyl malonate, and thiol, respectively, to form end-functionalized telechelic polystyrenes. These PSts with different functionalized omega-end group (PSt1, PSt2, and PSt3) were obtained and characterized by H NMR and TGA. This type of end-functionalized telechelic polymers can further act as polymeric ligands to form polymeric metal complexes. In this study, PSt1 with carboxylate group at each end was allowed to react with Eu(DBM)(2)Cl center dot 2H(2)O to afford a new polymeric complex PSt1-Eu(III) showing significant red-light emission. Moreover, the film of PSt1-Eu shows similar emission pattern with its DMF solution. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.