New organometallic polymers by polycondensation of ferrocene and siloxane derivatives

A series of condensation polymers ( polyesters and polyamides) of ferrocene and siloxane derivatives have been synthesized and characterized. Thus, 1,1'-di(chlorocarbonyl) ferrocene (CAFc) and four different siloxane derivativess1,3-bis( aminopropyl) tetramethyldisiloxane) (AP(0)), alpha,omega-bis(3-aminopropyl) oligodimethylsiloxane (AP), 1,3-bis( hydroxypropyl) tetramethyldisiloxane (HP0), and 1,3-bis(p-hydroxyphenyleneazomethine-3-propyl) tetramethyldisiloxane (HBS0)-were used as monomers for this purpose. A model polyamide was prepared by polycondensation of oxalyl chloride with AP(0). This was analyzed as such or doped with ferrocene in order to appreciate the influence of the ferrocene units by comparison with the corresponding copolymer containing chemically linked ferrocene in the main chain. Thermal, mesomorphic, viscometric, and solubility behaviors of the obtained compounds were studied. Molecular masses were estimated by GPC. The polymers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy in order to evaluate the redox properties and photochemical behavior.