Ferrocene polymers: current architectures, syntheses and utility

The discovery of ferrocene and its structural characterisation initiated an explosive rebirth of organometallic chemistry. Today, 50 years after this event, new uses are still being found for this remarkable organometallic moiety. The inclusion of ferrocene units into polymeric arrays has attracted much attention due to the electronic donating ability, reversible redox chemistry, steric properties and ready functionalisation of this stable fragment. This review outlines the current syntheses and architectures available for the construction of ferrocene-containing polymeric systems and examines some of the uses of the emergent metallocene polymers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.