ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDIES OF POLY 3-(4-METHOXYPHENYL)[5] FERROCENOPHANE-1,5-DIMETHYLENE AND COPOLYMERS WITH STYRENE AND N-PHENYLMALEIMIDE

Ferrocene is an organometallic compound in which an iron atom is sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl rings. Ferrocene containing polymers receive a considerable amount of research because of their known chemistry, stable redox reactions and useful electrical systems. Noteworthy are their uses as electrode coatings, electro-catalysts and as an anode in battery applications. In this research, the synthesis and polymerization of a ferrocenophane diene is reported. Using a Wittig reaction 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)[5]ferrocenophane-1,5-dimethylene was synthesized from 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)[5]ferrocenophane-1,5-dione. The homopolymer and copolymers with styrene and N-phenylmaleimide were synthesized via free radical polymerization from 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)[5]ferrocenophane-1,5-dimethylene using AIBN as the initiator. These polymers were characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and spectra for each polymer were consistent with the corresponding structure. UV-Vis spectra of each polymer showed an absorbance at 440nm which is consistent with a [3] ferrocenophane. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed the chemical reversibility of the polymers. Thermogravimetric results showed their thermal stability to approximately 390°C