Hydrosilylation Synthesis of New Ferrocenylene Copolymers Containing Carbosilylene,Carbosiloxy and Cyclopentadienyliron Dicarbonyl Bridges

Bifunctional organometallic silicon precursor monomers and substrates FC(SiMe₂H)₂ (1) FC = (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)]; FC(SiMe₂(CH₂)_xCH=CH₂)₂ x = 0 (2), 1 (3)], η⁵-C₅H₄-SiMe₂(CH₂)_xCH=CH₂)]Fe(CO)₂SiMe₂(CH₂)_xCH=CH₂ x = 0 (4), 1 (5) and (η⁵-C₅H₄-SiMe₂H)Fe(CO)₂SiMe₂H (6) have been used to make a series of new iron containing polymers via hydrosilylation reactions. In addition to the vinyl- and allyl-containing substrates 2, 3, 4 and 5 the organosilicon compounds CH₂=CHSiMe₂]₂O, 1,4-(H₂C=CH-SiMe₂)₂C₆H₄ and (HC≡CH–SiMe₂)₂O were also used as substrates for the hydrosilylation reaction. The reactions between the various SiH and CH=CH₂ and C≡C functionalities were performed in the presence of Pt(0) catalyst and resulted in regioselective (β-isomer and β-(E) isomer) products as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Molecular weights of all the polymers were determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography, which revealed oligomeric materials with narrow polydispersity. Cyclic voltammetric studies of exhibited single reversible redox processes due to the Fe(II)/Fe(III) couple when present, and irreversible oxidation for the presence of any Fp Fe atom. This article is dedicated to Professor Astruc.