Preparation of polyferrocenylsilane via thermal ROP, synthesis of polyferrocenylsilane with methacrylate side chain and its photochemical cross-linking properties

[Fe(η-C5H4)2(SiMeCl)]n (PFMCS) has been prepared via the thermal ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of the corresponding strained silicon-bridge [E.O. Potma, X.S. Xie, L. Muntean, J. Preusser, D. Jones, J. Ye, S.R. Leone, W.D. Hinsberg, W. Schade. J. Phys. Chem. B 108(4) (2004) 1296.] ferrocenophanes Fe(η-C5H4)2(SiClMe). The nucleophilic substitution of PFMCS with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) affords polymers (HEMA-PFS) with methacrylate side chains. Irradiation with UV–visible light causes the photochemical cross-linking of HEMA-PFS and leads to form insoluble polymer films. After washing, polymer films with patterned images were obtained.