Metallopolymers Featuring Boratabenzene Iron Complexes

Boratabenzene-derived metallocene analogues are introduced as versatile new building blocks for metallopolymers. Bis(borinato)iron(II) complexes of the type Fe(C(5)H(5)B-R)(2) (R: C≡CH, C≡CSiMe(3), 4-(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazolyl) were synthesized and spectroscopically, structurally, and electrochemically characterized. Polymerization via Sonogashira-Hagihara coupling of the alkynyl-substituted derivative Fe(C(5)H(5)B-C≡CH)(2) with 2,5-bis(dodecyloxy)-1,4-diiodobenzene yields a film-forming polymer in 50-69% yield. Polymer batches were obtained with number-average molecular weights (M(n)) of 11.7 and 20.5 kDa and polydispersity indices (PDI) of 1.55 and 2.65, respectively, as determined by gel permeation chromatography relative to polystyrene standards. Click-type polymerization of Fe(C(5)H(5)B-C≡CH)(2) through azide-alkyne cycloaddition with 1,4-bis(4-azidobutoxy)benzene gives the corresponding metallopolymer with an M(n) of 5.7 kDa and a PDI of 2.29 in 87% yield.