A cross-linked conjugated metallopolymer comprised of bisaxially coordinated ruthenium tetra-t-butyl phthalocyanine connected by quaterthiophene linkers

A ruthenium tetra-t-butylphthalocyanine bisaxially ligated with 3,5-bis(2,2'-bithiophene-5-yl)pyridine was synthesized from ruthenium tetra-t-butylphthalocyanine dimer. The complex was electropolymerized (in CH2Cl2 and CH3CN, with and without addition of BF3 center dot Et2O) to yield an insoluble conjugated metallopolymer, which was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry. The polymer combines the electrochemical and spectral properties of the phthalocyanine and of a polythiophene-type conjugated polymer. In the presence of BF3, the polymer can be reversibly p-doped and de-doped. Materials obtained in CH2Cl2 (tested in the same solvent) and in CH3CN/BF3 (tested in CH3CN) exhibit an unusual hysteresis of redox properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.