Synthesis of Air‐Stable Cyclopentadienyl Fe(CO)2 (Fp) Polymers by a Host–Guest Interaction of Cyclodextrin with Air‐Sensitive Fp Pendant Groups

Abstract

AbstractHost–guest chemistry is used to address the challenge of the synthesis of air‐stable polymers containing air‐sensitive metal complexes. The complexation of the CpFe(CO)2 (Fp) pendent group with cyclodextrin (CD) molecules created air‐stable poly(Fp‐methylstyrene) P(CD/FpMSt). This CD complexation resulted in dimerization of the adjacent Fp groups, which was characterized by NMR, FTIR, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analyses. P(CD/FpMSt) was soluble in DMSO and remained stable even the solution was exposed to air for months. The host–guest chemistry accounted for the improved stability, because the Fp groups decomposed upon removal of the CD molecules using competing guest molecules. The CD‐complexed polymer showed light‐trigged properties, including CO release and antimicrobial activity. Host–guest chemistry of air‐sensitive organometallic complexes is therefore a promising technique that can be used to broaden the scope of metal‐containing polymers (MCPs) with processable novel functions.