Organoiron polymers

Organoiron polymers are one of the most well-examined classes of metal-containing polymers in light of their diverse structures, properties and applications. In this review, organoiron polymers are classified according to their structural make-up. The synthesis and characterization of oligomers and polymers containing dienes and cyclobutadiene rings coordinated to iron tricarbonyl moieties are described. This is followed by a thorough investigation of ferrocene-based polymers. The ferrocenyl units are found in the polymer main and side chains, and a wide variety of these organoiron polymers and their properties is reviewed. Polymers containing cyclopentadienyliron tricarbonyl complexes in their backbones and side chains are also described. Cationic eta(6)-arene-eta(5)-cyclopentadienyliron complexes have been incorporated into polymeric materials where the iron moieties are pendent to the main or side chains. The final class of organoiron polymers includes the iron-acetylides; these polymers are unique amongst the other examples described in this review since the iron complexes are Q-bonded to the organic backbones of the polymers. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.