New ferrocene-containing structures: Poly(silyl ester)s

Two new polymeric structures containing ferrocene units along the chains, namely poly(silyl ester)s, have been synthesized and characterized: a geminal poly(silyl ester) (g-PSE) and one having a disiloxane spacer between the silyl ester groups (s-PSE). The condensation polymerization of AA/BB monomer systems in solution was used in both cases as preparation method involving a silicon-containing diol, (diphenylsilane diol or 1,3-bis(hydroxy)-tetramethyldisiloxane), and 1,1′-di(chlorocarbonyl)ferrocene. The polymers were investigated by differential pulse voltammetry in order to evaluate the redox behavior. Due to the presence of the silyl ester groups in the chain, these polymers are hydrolytically degradable.

Graphical abstractA geminal poly(silyl ester) (g-PSE) and one having a disiloxane spacer between the silyl ester groups (s-PSE) have been synthesized, these constituting a new type of ferrocene-containing polymers that are both redox active and hydrolytically degradable.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide