Inorganic and organometallic polymers

Abstract

Polymers composed partially or entirely of inorganic elements in the main chain possess unique structures, properties and applications. This report summarizes the developments in the synthesis and study of macromolecules which incorporate main group and transition elements in the polymer backbone. HighlightsMajor accomplishments in the synthesis of inorganic polymers reported in 2007 include: the use of self-assembly to chemically micropattern polysiloxanes, the synthesis of p-conjugated oligomeric models for poly(phenylenedisilene), the preparation of novel polythiophenes bearing borane substituents, the isolation of cyclic ferrocenophane macromolecules, the ''living'' growth of micelles from ferrocenylsilane block copolymers, and the observation of novel electron transfer and conductive properties of zinc-porphyrin polymers.

Inorganic and organometallic polymers

“…This report complements previous articles in this series 1 and surveys the 2008 literature in the area of inorganic and organometallic polymers. The article is divided into eight sections beginning with this introductory part.…”

“…21,22 The area of metallocene-containing conjugated polymers has been overviewed. 23 A brief overview of the photocontrolled polymerization of strained [1]ferrocenophanes has appeared. 24 Recent developments in the preparation of gold-containing macrocycles, catenanes, oligomers and polymers has been overviewed.…”

“…A [1]vanadarenophane (36) has been prepared and, in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst, strained 36 underwent ring-opening polymerization to afford polymer 37. 117 Analysis of 36 using DSC facilitated the estimation of the strain energy in this (18 kJ mol À1 ) and a more strained boron-bridged [1]vanadarenophane (92 kJ mol À1 ). The d 5 -vanadium centres in 37 make this polymer a rare example of an organometallic macromolecule with paramagnetic atoms in the main chain.…”

“…The photochemical or thermally promoted change in hapticity of the cyclopentadienyl ligand in strained silicon bridged [1]ferrocenophane (38) and a strained [2]ruthenocenophanes was investigated. 118 In addition to a number of novel molecular complexes, these researchers discovered that photochemical-induced phosphine-addition to 38 results in linear polymer 39 which, under some circumstances, can undergo ''back-biting'' to form cyclic polyferrocenylsilane 40.…”

Study of PDMS based magnetorheological elastomers

“…PDMS is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer, and is particularly known for its unique properties such as curing at low temperatures, rapid curing at high temperature, deformation reversibility and, surface chemistry controllable by reasonably welldeveloped techniques. PDMS is optically clear, and, in general, is considered to be inert, non-toxic and non-flammable [18][19][20]. Previous studies have focused on the structural properties of PDMS [21] and the kinetic properties under crystallization from solution [22].…”