Organometallic conjugated polymer networks

Despite the diverse research activities focused on the chemistry, material science and physics of conjugated polymers, the feature of conjugated cross-links, which can provide electronic communication between chains, has received little attention. This situation may reflect the challenge to introduce such cross-links and retain adequate processability. On the basis of selected recent examples, the present review attempts to give a concise overview of the synthesis, processing and electronic properties of the important class of organometallic networks, which are formed through coordination bonds between ligand sites comprised in the organic semiconductor and metallic cross-links. These metallopolymers are also intractable but are often readily accessible via either ligand-exchange reactions or, alternatively, the polymerization of pre-fabricated metal-ligand complexes. If the electronic potentials of the cross-links are tailored to match those of the linear segments, these moieties allow for adequate electronic coupling.