Metal‐Containing Polymers

Abstract

The focus of this article is on the synthesis, properties, and applications of metal‐containing polymers. These polymers may be classified based on the types of metal–ligand bonding, and whether the metal is an integral part of the polymer backbone or pendent to the polymer backbone. The first class of polymers discussed are those with metals σ‐bonded to organic spacers in their backbones. Examples of metal–metal single and multiple bonds are also described. Metallocenes and coordination polymers are two classes of polymers where the metal is π‐coordinated to the organic ligands. The coordination of metals to porphyrins, phthalocyanines, Schiff base ligands, as well as to many other types of ligands are described. Another major class of polymers are those where the metal is pendent to the polymer backbone. These polymers include materials with metallic moieties π‐coordinated to unsaturated ligands in their backbones. Polymers with metallic moieties in their side chains are also described. A brief overview of star polymers and dendrimers is also included.

Neutral and Cationic Cyclopentadienyliron Macromolecules Containing Arylazo Chromophores

“…The discovery of ferrocene by Kealy and Pauson in the early 1950s sparked a breakthrough in the development of organometallic complexes 1. The landmark report of the polymerization of vinylferrocene by Arimoto and Haven2 gave birth to a new field in polymer chemistry, in which the combination of the supramolecular architectures and the metallic units created unique properties such as nonlinear optical, catalytic, electrical, preceramic, and magnetic properties 3–7. The past few decades have seen a number of reports on the synthesis, properties and applications of iron‐based polymers 8–11.…”

“…The incorporation of ferrocene units into polymers has been the target of many studies due to the unique nature of the resulting organometallic polymeric materials. These materials were found to be excellent candidates as electrocatalysts, modified electrodes, chemical sensors and photoactive molecular devices 3–11. The design of polymers containing cationic cyclopentadienyliron moieties has been a focus of our research for many years due to the enhanced solubilities that these materials possess compared with their organic analogues, as well as the potential applications of these cationic iron‐containing polymers as electrocatalysts and polyelectrolytes 12,13…”