Synthesis and Properties of Hyperbranched Polyferrocenylenesilynes

Organometallic polymers consisting of three-dimensionally alternating ferrocene and silyne units are synthesized in high yields by a one-pot procedure of coupling reactions. The hyperbranched polymers are electronically conjugated, with their absorption spectra extending into the infrared region. The polymers ceramize when pyrolyzed, with higher temperatures favoring the formation of ceramics with larger metallic nanoclusters. The ceramics containing iron silicide nanocrystals exhibit outstanding soft ferromagnetisms with excellent magnetic susceptibilities and practically nil hysteresis losses.