Synthesis and Properties of a Ferrocene-based Metallomesogenic Polymer Containing Bis(4-hydroxyoctoxyphenyl)sulfone

Poly[bis(4-hydroxyoctoxyphenyl)sulfone 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylate] (PHOSFD) was synthesized by solution polycondensation reaction of bis(4-hydroxyoctoxyphenyl)sulfone with 1,1′-ferrocenyl chloride. The synthesized polymer was characterized via the measurement of its 1H NMR spectrum, UV–Vis spectrum and FTIR spectrum. X-ray diffraction pattern was measured to investigate the crystallinity of the synthesized polymer and it was found that the polymer is mostly amorphous. The molecular weight of the polymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography. In addition, the electrochemical, the thermal, and the liquid crystalline properties of the synthesized polymer were examined and compared with the properties of poly(diethyleneglycol 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylate) (PDEFD) that was synthesized in our earlier study. The electrochemical processes of PHOSFD in CH2Cl2 were confirmed neither to be totally reversible nor completely irreversible. Generally, the electrochemical properties of PHOSFD and PDEFD were found to be similar to each other. PHOSFD was found to be thermally stable but its thermal stability is lower than that of PDEFD. Both of PHOSFD and PDEFD showed liquid crystalline properties and they possessed nematic phase textures with schlieren disclinations during heating and cooling.