Polyferrocenylsilane-Based Polymer Systems

ROS-responsive hydrogels: from design and additive manufacturing to biomedical applications

Hydrogels with intricate 3D networks and high hydrophilicity have qualities resembling those of biological tissues, making them ideal candidates for use as smart biomedical materials. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive hydrogels are an innovative class of smart hydrogels, and are cross-linked by ROS-responsive modules through covalent interactions, coordination interactions, or supramolecular interactions. Due to the introduction of ROS response modules, this class of hydrogels exhibits a sensitive response to the oxidative stress microenvironment existing in organisms. Simultaneously, due to the modularity of the ROS-responsive structure, ROS-responsive hydrogels can be manufactured on a large scale through additive manufacturing. This review will delve into the design, fabrication, and applications of ROS-responsive hydrogels. The main goal is to clarify the chemical principles that govern the response mechanism of these hydrogels, further providing new perspectives and methods for designing responsive hydrogel materials.

Polycobaltoceniumylmethylene - A Water-Soluble Polyelectrolyte Prepared by Ring-Opening Transmetalation Polymerization

The synthesis of a water-soluble polycobaltoceniumylmethylene chloride (PCM-Cl) via ring-opening transmetalation polymerization is presented. Starting from a carba[1]magnesocenophane and cobalt(II) chloride, this route gives access to a polymer with methylene-bridged cobaltocenium moieties within the polymers' main-chain. The polymer was characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, TGA, DSC, XRD, and CV measurements, as well as UV-vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, GPC measurements in an aqueous eluent versus pullulan standards were conducted to gain insight into the obtained molar masses and distributions. In addition, the ion-dependent solubility was demonstrated by anion exchange, tuning the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of this redox-responsive material.

Concentration Effect over Thermoresponse Derived from Organometallic Compounds of Functionalized Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-dopamine Methacrylamide)

The functionalization of smart polymers is opening a new perspective in catalysis, drug carriers and biosensors, due to the fact that they can modulate the response regarding conventional devices. This smart response could be affected by the presence of organometallic complexes in terms of interactions which could affect the physical chemical properties. In this sense, the thermoresponsive behavior of copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) could be affected due to the presence of hydrophobic groups and concentration effect. In this work, the functionalization of a copolymer based on NIPAM and dopamine methacrylamide with different amounts of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium (IV) dichloride was carried out. The resulting materials were characterized, showing a clear idea about the mechanism of functionalization through FTIR spectroscopy. The thermoresponsive behavior was also studied for various polymeric solutions in water by UV-vis spectroscopy and calorimetry. The hydrophobic interactions promoted by the organometallic complex could affect the transition associated with the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), specifically, the segments composed by pure NIPAM. That fact would explain the reduction of the width of the LCST-transition, contrary to what could be expected. In addition, the hydrophobicity was tested by the contact angle and also DNA interactions.

Synthesis and structure of an asymmetrical sila[1]magnesocenophane

The synthesis and structure of an asymmetrical sila[1]magnesocenophane, featuring a cyclopentadienyl and a tetramethylcyclopentadienyl group, are reported. The compound was obtained as a bis(tetrahydrofuran) adduct and exhibits a slipped sandwich structure in the solid state.

Redox-Active Micelle-Based Reaction Platforms for In Situ Preparation of Noble Metal Nanocomposites with Photothermal Conversion Capability

Polyferrocenylsilane (PFS)-based polymers are an attractive family of organometallic polymers with unique redox-active properties. Herein, we report a novel amphiphilic redox-active PFS-based homopolymer, poly(ferrocenylmethylethylthiocarboxypropylsilane) (PFC), with a hydrophobic backbone chain and hydrophilic carboxylic acid side groups in each repeating unit. Self-assembly was induced by addition of water to a molecularly dispersed solution of PFC in DMSO. Spherical PFC micelles with controllable hydrodynamic diameters (60-180 nm) were obtained under various conditions. These PFC micelles could be readily endocytosed by A549 cells and HUVEC cells and show no significant cytotoxicity toward them at the concentration of 200 μg/mL. On this basis, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared through in situ reduction of HAuCl₄ by PFC micelles as nanoreactors without requiring any other reductants. The PFC/Au nanocomposites (NCs) were found to exhibit significant photothermal behavior. Moreover, PFC micelles could also act as nanoreactors for other noble metals such as Ag, Pd, and Pt. By taking advantage of properties of the nanostructures and noble metal nanoparticles comprising these materials, the PFC micelles and PFC/noble metal NCs may have great potential in biomedical or catalytic applications.

Rings and Chains: Synthesis and Characterization of Polyferrocenylmethylene

The synthesis and characterization of polyferrocenylmethylene (PFM) starting from dilithium 2,2-bis(cyclopentadienide)propane and a Me₂ C[1]magnesocenophane is reported. Molecular weights of up to M_w  = 11 700 g mol^-1 featuring a dispersity, Ð, of 1.40 can be achieved. The material is studied by different methods comprising nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements elucidating the molecular structure and thermal properties of these novel polymers. Moreover, cyclic voltammetry (CV) reveals quasi-reversible oxidation and reduction behavior and communication between the iron centers. Also, the crystal structure of a related cyclic hexamer is presented.

Polyferrocenylsilane Semicrystalline Polymer Additive for Solution-Processed p-Channel Organic Thin Film Transistors

In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that a metal-containing semicrystalline polymer was used as an additive to mediate the thin film morphology of solution-grown, small-molecule organic semiconductors. By mixing polyferrocenylsilane (PFS) with an extensively-studied organic semiconductor 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene), PFS as a semicrystalline polymer independently forms nucleation and crystallization while simultaneously ameliorating diffusivity of the blend system and tuning the surface energies as a result of its partially amorphous property. We discovered that the resultant blend film exhibited a 6-fold reduction in crystal misorientation angle and a 3-fold enlargement in average grain width. Enhanced crystal orientation considerably reduces mobility variation, while minimized defects and trap centers located at grain boundaries lessen the adverse impact on the charge transport. Consequently, bottom-gate, top-contact organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) based on the TIPS pentacene/PFS mixture yielded a 40% increase in performance consistency (represented by the ratio of average mobility to the standard deviation of mobility). The PFS semicrystalline polymer-controlled crystallization can be used to regulate the thin film morphology of other high-performance organic semiconductors and shed light on applications in organic electronic devices.

Main-Group Metallocenophanes

Metallocenes with interlinked cyclopentadienide ligands are commonly referred to as ansa-metallocenes or metallocenophanes. These can have drastically different properties than their unbridged parent compounds. While this concept is best known for transition metals such as iron, it can also be adopted for many main-group elements. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the field of metallocenophanes based on main-group elements of group 2, group 13, group 14 and group 15, focusing on synthesis, structure and properties of these compounds.

3D Micro/Nanopatterning of a Vinylferrocene Copolymer

In nanoimprint lithography (NIL), a pattern is created by mechanical deformation of an imprint resist via embossing with a stamp, where the adhesion behavior during the filling of the imprint stamp and its subsequent detachment may impose some practical challenges. Here we explored thermal and reverse NIL patterning of polyvinylferrocene and vinylferrocene-methyl methacrylate copolymers to prepare complex non-spherical objects and patterns. While neat polyvinylferrocene was found to be unsuitable for NIL, freshly-prepared vinylferrocene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, for which identity and purity were established, have been structured into 3D-micro/nano-patterns using NIL. The cross-, square-, and circle-shaped columnar structures form a 3 × 3 mm arrangement with periodicity of 3 µm, 1 µm, 542 nm, and 506 nm. According to our findings, vinylferrocene-methyl methacrylate copolymers can be imprinted without further additives in NIL processes, which opens the way for redox-responsive 3D-nano/micro-objects and patterns via NIL to be explored in the future.

Bulky 1,1'-bisphosphanoferrocenes and their coordination behaviour towards Cu(i)

Two bulky mesityl substituted dppf-analogues Fe(C₅H₄PMes₂)₂ (Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, 1) and Fe(C₅H₄PMes₂)(C₅H₄PPh₂) (Mes = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, Ph = C₆H₅, 3) have been prepared and their properties as donor ligands have been explored using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and in particular via¹J_P-Se coupling, cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations. Based on the results obtained, a series of mono- and dinuclear Cu(i) complexes have been prepared with these new diphosphane ligands using Br^-, I^-, and BF₄^- as counter anions. For the very bulky ligand 1 rare and unprecedented double bridging complexation modes have been observed containing two non-planar Cu₂Br₂ units, while for the other dinuclear complexes planar Cu₂Br₂ units have been found. The Cu(i) complexes of 1 and 3 were then used as catalysts for CO₂-fixation reaction with terminal alkynes, and complexes with ligand 3 were found to be more efficient than those with 1. DFT calculations performed on compounds 1, 3 and their Cu(i) complexes were able to verify the trend of these catalytic reactions.

Unique Bora[1]ferrocenophanes with Sterically Protected Boron: A Potential Gateway to Helical Polyferrocenes

Silicon-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes are a versatile class of monomers to obtain well-defined metallopolymers, however, their boron-bridged analogues are far less utilized despite being significantly higher strained. We assumed that the reactivity of known bora[1]ferrocenophanes towards ring-opening polymerization is hampered by π-donating R₂ N groups at the bridging boron atom and therefore prepared the first bora[1]ferrocenophanes lacking such electronic stabilization. The new, isolated ferrocenophane with a 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl group attached to the bridging boron atom exhibits the most tilted Cp rings among all isolated strained sandwich compounds [α(DFT)=33.3°] with a measured record value of the bathochromic shift (λ_max =516 nm). Attempts to purify the mesityl analogue by vacuum sublimation transformed this monomer to a purple-colored polymer that resulted in Cotton effects in circular dichroism spectroscopy. DFT calculations revealed a left-handed helical structure for this polymer. This is the first evidence for a polyferrocene with a chiral secondary structure.

Ferrocene-Containing Conjugated Oligomers Synthesized by Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization

A series of conjugated, symmetrical, and ferrocene-containing main-chain monomers was prepared following a gentle coupling reaction. Ferrocene-containing oligomers with all-trans-configured vinylene bonds could be synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. These oligomers had a larger Stokes shift (2400 to 2600 cm⁻¹) and both exhibited stable and reversible electrochemistry. Meanwhile, the copolymerization of 1,1’-bis[1-methyl-2-(4-vinylphenyl)ethenyl]ferrocene with 2,7-divinyl-9,9-dioctylfluorene was achieved. The structurally regular copolymers proved their optical and electrochemical properties. The fluorescence intensity of the copolymer gradually enhanced with the increasing number of fluorene units. At the same time, it was also found that the color of the copolymers had a significant change from yellow-green to red.

Recent Trends in Metallopolymer Design: Redox-Controlled Surfaces, Porous Membranes, and Switchable Optical Materials Using Ferrocene-Containing Polymers

Metallopolymers with metal functionalities are a unique class of functional materials. Their redox-mediated optoelectronic and catalytic switching capabilities, their outstanding structure formation and separation capabilities have been reported recently. Within this Minireview, the scope and limitations of intriguing ferrocene-containing systems will be discussed. In the first section recent advances in metallopolymer design will be given leading to a plethora of novel metallopolymer architectures. Discussed synthetic pathways comprise controlled and living polymerization protocols as well as surface immobilization strategies. In the following sections, we focus on recent advances and new applications for side-chain and main-chain ferrocene-containing polymers as (i) remote-switchable materials, (ii) smart surfaces, (iii) redox-responsive membranes, and some recent trends in (iv) photonic structures and (v) other optical applications.

Enantiopure Phospha[1]ferrocenophanes: Textbook Examples of Through-Space Nuclear Spin-Spin Coupling

Three enantiopure phospha[1]ferrocenophanes (2^R ) equipped with either a phenyl, an isopropyl, or a tert-butyl group at the bridging phosphorus atom were synthesized by a salt-metathesis approach in isolated yields between 52 and 63 %. The chirality in these strained sandwich compounds stems from the planar-chiral ferrocene moiety, which is symmetrically equipped with two iPr groups adjacent to phosphorus. Surprisingly, all three phospha[1]ferrocenophanes show an uncommon through-space nuclear ¹ H-³¹ P coupling. As a result of the embedded symmetry, these new compounds are ideal examples to differentiate between through-space and through-bond coupling mechanisms in NMR spectroscopy.

New reactivity at the silicon bridge in sila[1]ferrocenophanes

We describe two new types of reactivity involving silicon-bridged [1]ferrocenophanes. In an attempt to form a [1]ferrocenophane with a bridging silyl cation, the reaction of sila[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(η-C₅H₄)₂Si(H)TMP] (12) (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) towards the hydride-abstraction reagent trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate ([CPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄]) was explored. This yielded the unusual dinuclear species [Fe(η-C₅H₄)₂Si(TMP·H)(η-C₅H₃)Fe(η-C₅H₄)Si(H)TMP][B(C₆F₅)₄] [13][B(C6F5)4] in low yield. The formation of [13]+ is proposed to involve abstraction of hydride from the silicon bridge in 12 with subsequent C-H bond cleavage of a cyclopentadienyl group by the resulting electrophilic transient silyl cation intermediate. We also explored the reaction of dimethylsila[1]ferrocenophane [Fe(η-C₅H₄)₂SiMe₂] (1) with the Au(i) species AuCl(PMe₃). This was found to result in addition of the Au-Cl bond across the Cp_ipso-Si bond to yield the ring-opened species [1'-(chlorodimethylsilyl)-ferrocenyl](trimethylphosphine)gold(i), [Fe(C₅H₄SiMe₂Cl){C₅H₄Au(PMe₃)}] (14). This represents the first example of ring-opening addition of a metallocenophane with a reagent possessing a transition metal-halogen bond.

Metallopolymer-Based Block Copolymers for the Preparation of Porous and Redox-Responsive Materials

Metallopolymers are a unique class of functional materials because of their redox-mediated optoelectronic and catalytic switching capabilities and, as recently shown, their outstanding structure formation and separation capabilities. Within the present study, (tri)block copolymers of poly(isoprene) (PI) and poly(ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate) having different block compositions and overall molar masses up to 328 kg mol^-1 are synthesized by anionic polymerization. The composition and thermal properties of the metallopolymers are investigated by state-of-the-art polymer analytical methods comprising size exclusion chromatography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. As a focus of this work, excellent microphase separation of the synthesized (tri)block copolymers is proven by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microcopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering measurements showing spherical, cylindrical, and lamellae morphologies. As a highlight, the PI domains are subjected to ozonolysis for selective domain removal while maintaining the block copolymer morphology. In addition, the novel metalloblock copolymers can undergo microphase separation on cellulose-based substrates, again preserving the domain order after ozonolysis. The resulting nanoporous structures reveal an intriguing switching capability after oxidation, which is of interest for controlling the size and polarity of the nanoporous architecture.

A molecular approach to magnetic metallic nanostructures from metallopolymer precursors

This tutorial review summarizes the strategies of using metallopolymers as precursors for generating functional magnetic metal/metal alloy NPs and other metal nanostructures.

Synthesis, thin-film self-assembly, and pyrolysis of ruthenium-containing polyferrocenylsilane block copolymers

The self-assembly of a ruthenium-containing polyferrocenylsilane in bulk and thin films yielded spherical or cylindrical domains in a PS matrix; pyrolysis provided a route to bimetallic Fe/Ru NPs for potential catalytic applications.

Strained azabora[2]ferrocenophanes

The first BN-bridged [2]ferrocenophanes were synthesized and their structures and strain enthalpies were investigated.

Hydrogels with a Memory: Dual-Responsive, Organometallic Poly(ionic liquid)s with Hysteretic Volume-Phase Transition

We report on the synthesis and structure-property relations of a novel, dual-responsive organometallic poly(ionic liquid) (PIL), consisting of a poly(ferrocenylsilane) backbone of alternating redox-active, silane-bridged ferrocene units and tetraalkylphosphonium sulfonate moieties in the side groups. This PIL is redox responsive due to the presence of ferrocene in the backbone and also exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type thermal responsive behavior. The LCST phase transition originates from the interaction between water molecules and the ionic substituents and shows a concentration-dependent, tunable transition temperature in aqueous solution. The PIL's LCST-type transition temperature can also be influenced by varying the redox state of ferrocene in the polymer main chain. As the polymer can be readily cross-linked and is easily converted into hydrogels, it represents a new dual-responsive materials platform. Interestingly, the as-formed hydrogels display an unusual, strongly hysteretic volume-phase transition indicating useful thermal memory properties. By employing the dispersing abilities of this cationic PIL, CNT-hydrogel composites were successfully prepared. These hybrid conductive composite hydrogels showed bi-stable states and tunable resistance in heating-cooling cycles.

Recent Advances in Metal-Containing Polymer Hydrogels

Metal-containing polymer hydrogels have attracted increasing interest in recent years due to their outstanding properties such as biocompatibility, recoverability, self-healing, and/or redox activity. In this short review, methods for the preparation of metal-containing polymer hydrogels are introduced and an overview of these hydrogels with various functionalities is given. It is hoped that this short update can stimulate innovative ideas to promote the research of metal-containing hydrogels in the communities.

Flexibility and Stability of Metal Coordination Macromolecules

The effect of chain structure on flexibility and stability of macromolecules containing weak P-Fe metal coordination bonds is studied. Migration insertion polymerization (MIP) of FpC_X Fp (1) and PR₂ C_Y PR₂ (2) (Fp: CpFe(CO)₂ ; C_X and C_Y : alkyl spacers; P: phosphine; R: phenyl or isopropyl) generates P(1/2), in which the P-Fe and Fe-P bonds with opposite bonding direction are alternatively arranged in the backbone. On the other hand, P(FpC_X P) synthesized from AB-type monomers (FpC_X P) has P-Fe bonds arranged in the same direction. P(1/2) is more rigid and stable than P(FpC_X P), which is attributed to the chain conformation resulting from the P-Fe bonding direction. In addition, the longer spacers render P(1/2) relatively flexible; the phenyl substituents, as compared with the isopropyl groups, improves the rigidity, thermal, and solution stability of P(1/2). It is therefore possible to incorporate weak metal coordination bonds into macromolecules with improved stability and adjustable flexibility for material processing.

Electrochemical determination of trace pesticide residues based on multiwalled carbon nanotube grafted acryloyloxy ferrocene carboxylates with different spacers

We report the preparation of nanohybrid composites with good electrochemical response for the detection of pesticide residues by combining esterification with ATRP.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of (PNEt2)2-bridged [2]ferrocenophanes

The trivalent phosphorus-bridged [2]ferrocenophane complex 2 having NEt₂ groups on the respective phosphorus centers was prepared, and its reactions as a diphosphine ligand were examined for iron and chromium carbonyl complexes. Both the phosphorus centers of 2 coordinated to Fe(CO)₄ fragments to form (μ-2)-[Fe(CO)₄]₂, while the bulkier Cr(CO)₅ fragment formed only a monochromium complex [Cr(κ¹-2)(CO)₅]. Dissociation of CO from [Cr(κ¹-2)(CO)₅] changed the coordination mode of 2 from κ¹ to κ² to form [Cr(κ²-2)(CO)₄] having a three-membered ring. A similar approach for the monoiron complex [Fe(κ¹-2)(CO)₄] did not afford a κ² complex but instead an Et₂NPC(O)PNEt₂-bridged [3]ferrocenophane complex in which a CO fragment was inserted into the P-P bond of 2 and both the phosphorus centers coordinated to Fe(CO)₃ as a chelate diphosphine. The reaction of this product with an Fe(CO)₄ fragment gave μ-{Fe(C₅H₄PNEt₂)₂-κP:κP}-[Fe(CO)₃]₂ (8), in which one terminal CO and the CO group between the two phosphorus atoms were lost to give an [FeFe]hydrogenase mimic having a bis(phosphido)ferrocene chelate as a bridging unit. The two NEt₂ groups of the bridging unit were expected to work as protonation sites. The protonated NEt₂ groups contributed to an improvement in the reduction potential of the complex to a less negative area, i.e., -2.3 V for the free 8 to -1.0 V for the diprotonated 8. The catalytic reduction of the proton, however, required a more negative potential of -2.0 V, which is almost comparable to that of the phosphido-bridged [FeFe]hydrogenase model complex having no protonation site.

Dibora[2]ferrocenophane: A Carbene-Stabilized Diborene in a Strained cis-Configuration

Unsaturated bridges that link the two cyclopentadienyl ligands together in strained ansa metallocenes are rare and limited to carbon-carbon double bonds. The synthesis and isolation of a strained ferrocenophane containing an unsaturated two-boron bridge, isoelectronic with a C=C double bond, was achieved by reduction of a carbene-stabilized 1,1'-bis(dihaloboryl)ferrocene. A combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations was used to assess the influence of the unprecedented strained cis configuration on the optical and electrochemical properties of the carbene-stabilized diborene unit. Initial reactivity studies show that the dibora[2]ferrocenophane is prone to boron-boron double bond cleavage reactions.