Synthesis and characterization of poly(siloxane–azomethine) iron(III) coordination compounds

Abstract

Siloxane-containing polyazomethines with linear (PAZ) and cross-linked (CPAZ) architectures and their iron complexes (FePAZ and CFePAZ) have been prepared. The structures of the resulted compounds were investigated by spectral methods (FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV–vis) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was used to determine the Si/Fe ratio and for quantitative analysis of silicon. Paramagnetic susceptibility (χ) and magnetic moment (μ eff) of the soluble iron complex were estimated based on 1H NMR measurements. The iron spin state was determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy, while the electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The catalytic activity in hydrogen peroxide decomposition reaction, in alkaline solution was tested. The compound FePAZ proved to increase the dielectric constant of a silicone matrix in which it was incorporated even in very low percent, acting also as an effective plasticizer.