SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF AN IRON CYCLOPENTADIENYL COMPLEX OF POLY(N-HEXYLPHENYLENE)

An iron cyclopentadienyl complex of a conducting polymer, poly(n-hexylphenylene) (abbreviated as PHP), was prepared by a reaction of PHP with ferrocene, Al and AlCl3, followed by an anion exchange using NH4PF6. Cyclic voltammetry of the complex thus formed with a formula, {(C6H3C6H13)(1.6)[(eta(6)-C6H3C6H13)Fe(eta(5)-C5H5)] PF6}(n) (abbreviated as PHP-[FeCp]PF6, Cp = eta(5)-cyclopentadienyl),has indicated that it is reduced with a moderate chemical reversibility in Bu(4)NBF(4)-THF at E(0)' = -1.7 V versus Ag/Ag+. Spectroelectrochemical measurements have suggested that the chemical reaction of the reduced form is a coupling reaction of phenylene rings coordinated to iron, resulting in a formation of insoluble thin network polymer film on the electrode surface. Photoluminescence of PHP is modified in intensity and maximum emission wavelength by coordinating the FeCp moiety.