Organoiron polynorbornenes with pendent arylazo and hetarylazo dye moieties

Organoiron polynorbornene containing arylazo or hetarylazo dye chromophores has been prepared via ring opening metathesis polymerization using Grubbs' catalyst. The obtained polymers were isolated as brightly colored materials and displayed good solubility in polar organic solvents. The colors of these polymers were affected by the nature of the incorporated azo chromophores. Thermogravimetric analysis of these materials showed that the cleavage of the cyclopentadienyliron (CpFe⁺) moieties was between 225 and 231 °C, while the degradation of the polymer backbones occurred between 400 and 450 °C. UV-vis studies in DMF showed that the organoiron polymers containing arylazo dyes exhibit wavelength maxima around 425 nm. However, the replacement of these arylazo moieties with hetarylazo dyes displayed substantial bathochromic shifts in the λ_max values (≈ 511 nm).