Patent ID: 8513372

Claim:
A sol-gel precursor comprising a monomer according to the formula (I): wherein R 1a is an optionally substituted aromatic group, wherein the aromatic group is selected from the group consisting of biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, quinolinyl, tetracenyl, pentacenyl, pyrenyl, and perylenyl; R 2 is a photo-cross-linkable group comprising at least one of a methacrylate group, an acrylate group, an alkenyl group, a vinyl group, an epoxy group, or an acryloxy group; each R is independently selected to be a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxyalkyl group; m is selected to be an integer in the range of 0 to about 10; and n is selected to be an integer in the range of 2 to about 10.