Macrocyclic cobalt(III) complexes as precursors for metal-polythiophene hybrid materials

A thiophene-functionalised macrocyclic ligand trans-6,13-dimethyl-6-((thiophen-3-ylmethyl)amino)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-13-amine (L1) has been prepared and complexed with CoIII. The ligand L1 binds as a pentadentate in the crystallographically characterised complexes [CoL1(OAc)](ClO4)2 and [CoL1Cl]Cl2. Electro-copolymerisation of [CoL1Cl]Cl2 with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in a 1:2 ratio on a preformed poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) film resulted in metal–polymer hybrid films of high quality, consistency and uniformity in appearance. The copolymerised films were characterised by XPS indicating a 1:11 ratio of incorporation of complex to EDOT. Electrochemistry of the Co-PEDOT film (cast on an indium-doped tin oxide working electrode) in water revealed a CoIII/II redox couple at a potential ca. −600 mV (vs Ag/AgCl) which is similar to that seen in solution for the monomeric aqua complex [CoL1(OH2)]3+.

Graphical abstractA thiophene-functionalised macrocyclic ligand (L1) has been prepared and complexed with CoIII. Electro-copolymerisation of [CoL1Cl]Cl2 with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in a 1:2 ratio on a preformed poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) film resulted in electroactive metal-polymer hybrid films of high quality, consistency and uniformity in appearance.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide