SYNTHESIS AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF TRANSITION-METAL POLYMERS CONTAINING ALKANE-LINKED BIPYRIDINE AND TERPYRIDINE LIGANDS

Transition metal polymers containing alkane-linked bi- and ter-pyridin e ligands have been prepared and studied as thin films deposited on el ectrode surfaces. The cobalt and iron containing polymers exhibit elec trochemical behavior similar to that of the corresponding monomers and to polymers formed by reductive polymerization of vinyl-containing mo nomers (in cases where such polymers exist). Despite these similaritie s, in several instances the present polymers exhibit distinctly differ ent behavior with regard to their ability to catalyze the reduction of CO2 and O-2, when compared to soluble monomers and other supposedly s imilar polymers. Consideration is given to potential structural differ ences that may give rise to differences in catalytic activity.