Synthesis,Characterization and Electrochemical Polymerization of a Ru2+ Functionalized Pyrrole Monomer

A ruthenium(II) functionalized pyrrole, Ruthenium‐bis‐N,N′‐(2,2′‐bipyridyl)‐N‐(pyridine‐4‐ylmethyl‐(8‐pyrrole‐1‐yl‐octyl)amine)chloride, 1 , has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (UV/vis, ¹H NMR) techniques and cyclic voltammetry. In solution 1 gave a redox couple associated with the Ru^3+/2+ redox system and an irreversible wave associated with the oxidation of the covalently linked pyrrole moiety. What is believed to be homopolymerization, redox active surface films of 1 have been prepared by electrooxidation of the monomeric solution. The resulting polymeric film exhibited clear redox activity associated with the incorporated Ru²⁺ redox centre, which is covalently linked ruthenium centre to the pyrrole moiety in 1. The effect of surface coverage upon the electrochemical behavior of the deposited films has been undertaken. Preliminary investigations into the homogeneous charge transport dynamics of the polymeric film deposited onto platinum microelectrodes has been undertaken. Copolymerization with 3‐methylthiophene was carried out and a clear ruthenium response was seen. Films were formed by both cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry and studied. Various ratios were attempted but the ideal was found to be 52 : 5 mmol (3‐methylthiophene: 1 ).