PROTOTYPES FOR THE POLARONIC FERROMAGNET - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH-SPIN ORGANIC POLYMERS

Preparation and characterization of several new polymers (1-7) that ar e considered one-dimensional prototypes for the polaronic ferromagnet are reported. Synthesis involved either Wittig or Suzuki coupling to p roduce polymers with extended pi systems. Oxidative doping (I-2 or AsF 5) produces radical cations (polarons) that are stable at room tempera ture. Magnetic characterization of the doped polymers, using SQUID-bas ed magnetometry, indicates that in several instances ferromagnetic cou pling of polarons occurs along the polymer chain. Comparison of the va rious polymers reveals useful design principles and suggests new direc tions for the development of magnetic organic materials.