| Abstract: | Seven ferrocene-bound polyester resins were prepared from fumaric acid and diethylene glycol in the presence of different ferrocene derivatives. To accomplish the incorporation of the organometallic moiety into the polyester resin chain, the cyclopentadienyl rings of ferrocene were substituted in the 1,1′ positions with reactive functional groups. The ferrocene derivatives used were: 1,1′-bis(1-hydroxyethyl) ferrocene 1 , 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylic acid 2 , and 1,1′-ferrocene diacetic acid 3 . The incorporation of an organometallic complex significantly increased the rate of the polyesterification process. In order of increasing rate enhancement, the effect was 2 < 3 < 1 . The effectiveness of ferrocene derivatives chemically incorporated into the polyester backbone during copolymerization with styrene was studied by monitoring the gel time, cure rate, and the resin properties. The efficiency of the copolymerization reaction of ferrocene-bound polymers with styrene decreased in the order 1 ≥ 3 > 2 . Mechanisms to account for these results are presented. Some of the strength related properties were also studied. |
