Transition metal-mediated polymerization as a route to transition metal-based polymers: Mechanistic insights into the ring-opening polymerization of [1]-silaferrocenophanes

Transition metal-based polymers have gained wide acceptance due to their interesting physicochemical properties. The discovery that silicon-bridged ferrocenophane undergoes living anionic polymerization in the presence of anionic initiators has provided the means to control the chain length and architectures such as block copolymers. However, the success of anionic polymerization is limited by the stringent experimental requirements involving scrupulously pure monomer and solvents. In contrast, the room temperature transition metal-mediated ring opening polymerization of silicon-bridged ferrocenophanes by a variety of platinum, palladium and rhodium complexes offers a means for the synthesis of high molecular weight poly(ferrocenylsilanes).