Organometallic Ferrocene- and Phosphorus-Containing Polymers: Synthesis and Characterization

The inclusion of organometallic units into polymeric structures has attracted much attention in different fields according to the nature and behaviour of the inserted metal. Moreover, the discovery of organometallic polymers and their structural characterization initiated an explosive rebirth of organometallic chemistry. Organometallic moieties are in or pendent to the polymer backbone and examine some of the uses of the emergent metallocene polymers, and new uses are still being found for these remarkable organometallic moieties. This review gives a simple introduction to variable organometallic molecules and their characteristics. This review will focus on the syntheses and characterization of organometallic polymers, including ferrocene-and phosphorus-containing polymers. A general overview on ferrocene polymers with a special attention to ferrocene-containing liquid crystalline polymers (including a ferrocene moiety in the main chain, side-chain or dendrimers) and fullerene-ferrocene liquid crystalline polymers is presented. In addition, more details for synthesis and properties of phosphorus-containing polymers are illustrated. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012