Synthesis and self-assembly of (C5H5)Fe(CO)2 (Fp)-Based organometallic macromolecules

Abstract

Organometallic macromolecules (OM) are a group of metal-containing polymers, which emerged from the convergence of organometallic chemistry and polymer science. However, most organometallic complexes are reactive and air-sensitivity, so the corresponding monomers may undergo undesirable reactions during the chain propagation and the resultant polymers may degrade once opened to air for characterization and processing. This is a challenge for the desire to extend the scope of OM. Metal carbonyl OM, as an example, are rarely used as processing materials and often poorly characterized. To address this challenge, we have created several approaches, which produced various types of well-characterized and processible (C5H5)Fe(CO)2 (Fp)-based metal carbonyl OM. The resultant OM exhibit interesting self-assembling behavior that are crucial for the exploration of supramolecular chemistry, and novel properties with potential material applications.