Synthesis, properties, and functionalization of poly(ferrocenylsilane)s with chloroalkyl side chains

A series of poly( ferrocenylsilane)s containing chloroalkyl side chains of increasing length is reported. By reacting fcLi(2) . (2)/(3) tmeda with Cl2 SiMeR, the corresponding [1]ferrocenophanes were prepared (2a, R=CH2Cl: 2b. R=CH2CH2Cl: and 2c, R=CH2CH2CH2Cl). Transition metal-catalyzed or thermal ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of these monomers yielded the polyferroce nes 3a, 3b, and 3c. The chlorine substituents of polymers 3a and 3b were un reactive toward nucleophilic substitution. In contast, polymer 3c could be reacted with 4-dimethylaminopyridine in DMF to afford the water-soluble pol y(ferrocenylsilane) 4. This represents a new method for the preparation of water-soluble polyferrocenes.