Design of polyethers,thioethers, and amines with pendent iron moieties

Soluble organoiron polyethers, thioethers, and amines were synthesized via nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions. The synthesis of these classes of organometallic polymers involved either the reaction of cyclopentadienyliron complexes of dichloroarenes with various oxygen and sulfur dinucleophiles or the reaction of ether‐ or amine‐containing diiron complexes with dithiols. Polymerization reactions with the diiron complexes gave rise to organoiron polymers with alternating ether/thioether or amine/thioether bridges. Removal of the iron moieties from the backbone of these polymers allowed for the production of the corresponding organic materials. Furthermore, the organometallic polymers had much higher solubilities than their organic analogues. Thermogravimetric analysis of the organoiron polymers indicated that the polymers lost their metallic moieties at approximately 200 °C, whereas degradation of the polymer backbones occurred around 500 °C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1216–1231, 2001     

A Tetrairon Dication Featuring Tetraethynylbenzene Bridging Ligand: A Molecular Prototype of Quantum Dot Cellular Automata

The unprecedented tetrairon dication [{Cp*(dppe)FeC≡C-}₄-μ-(1,2,4,5-C₆H₂)](PF₆)₂ ( 1 ) was obtained through a sequence of three reactions from 1,2,4,5-tetraethynylbenzene, Cp*(dppe)FeCl (Cp*=C₅Me₅, dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ethane), KOtBu, and ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. The cyclic voltammogram of the target molecule, isolated in 77 % yield, exhibits four well separated and reversible redox events showing that 1 is thermodynamically stable with respect to disproportionation (Kc>10⁶). The tetranuclear dication 1 was characterized by XRD on single crystal, IR and NMR spectroscopies and Mössbauer spectrometry. The experimental data show that 1 behaves as a class II mixed-valence complex with the positive charges preferentially disposed on antipodal positions. This new molecule can be regarded as a potential molecular prototype of quantum dot cellular automata.     

Polynorbornenes Containing Ferrocene Derivatives and Alkyne‐bis(tricarbonylcobalt)

Coordination of dicobalt hexacarbonyl to the alkyne moiety of norbornene complexes containing either ferrocene or η⁶‐chlorobenzene‐η⁵‐cyclopentadienyliron hexafluorophosphate, gave two unique trimetallic complexes available for ROMP. Polymerization of each monomer using Grubbs second generation catalyst gave organoiron/organocobalt polynorbornenes with weight average molecular weights between 55 300 and 69 000 with PDIs between 1.2 and 1.9. Cyclic voltammetric studies of the monomers and polymers at −40 °C showed a reversible reduction for cationic complexes containing η⁶‐benzene‐η⁵‐cyclopentadienyliron and for the dicobalt hexacarbonyl moieties while, a reversible oxidation for the ferrocene containing complex was observed. Thermal analysis showed that the cobalt carbonyl moiety of the polymers degraded near 130 °C; however, the polymeric backbone was stable up to 350 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM‐EDS indicated that the polymers possessed a fine globular morphology and that the distribution of iron and cobalt atoms was homogenous on the macro‐scale.

     

Design of Organoiron Macromolecules Based on Upper Rim Functionalized Calix[4]arenes

The versatility of cationic cyclopentadienyliron complexes is demonstrated for the generation of calix[4]arene‐based dendrimers and polymers. Dendrimers were prepared from a branched organoiron calix[4]arene through subsequent reactions of azo dyes and organoiron complexes. The resulting azo dye‐containing metallocalix[4]arenes were soluble in polar organic solvents and displayed λ_max ranging between 430 and 456 nm. Upon addition of various acids, the λ_max shifted to higher wavelengths (513–535 nm). In the solid state and in solution, the azo dye‐containing metallocalix[4]arenes reversibly changed colour in the presence of acid and base, indicating their potential use as acid sensors. Cyclic voltammetric studies showed that the iron centres of the metallocalix[4]arenes were reversibly reduced at E_1/2 = −1.49 V. When non‐branching organoiron‐based calix[4]arene were reacted with dithiols, polymers containing calix[4]arenes either in their side chains or main chains were obtained. The polymers possessed weight average molecular weights between 35 000 and 53 000. The polymers were determined to be thermally stable with backbone decomposition occurring above 500 °C.

     

Development of Ferromagnetic Materials Containing Co2P,Fe2P Phases from Organometallic Dendrimers Precursors

The development of synthesis methods to access advanced materials, such as magnetic materials that combine multimetallic phosphide phases, remains a worthy research challenge. The most widely used strategies for the synthesis of magnetic transition metal phosphides (TMPs) are organometallic approaches. In this study, Fe-containing homometallic dendrimers and Fe/Co-containing heterometallic dendrimers were used to synthesize magnetic materials containing multimetallic phosphide phases. The crystalline nature of the nearly aggregated particles was indicated for both designed magnetic samples. In contrast to heterometallic samples, homometallic samples showed dendritic effects on their magnetic properties. Specifically, saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercivity (H_c) decrease as dendritic generation increases. Incorporating cobalt into the homometallic dendrimers to prepare the heterometallic dendrimers markedly increases the magnetic properties of the magnetic materials from 60 to 75 emu/g. Ferromagnetism in homometallic and heterometallic particles shows different responses to temperature changes. For example, heterometallic samples were less sensitive to temperature changes due to the presence of Co₂P in contrast to the homometallic ones, which show an abrupt change in their slopes at a temperature close to 209 K, which appears to be related to the Fe₂P ratios. This study presents dendrimers as a new type of precursor for the assembly of magnetic materials containing a mixture of iron- and cobalt-phosphides phases with tunable magnetism, and provides an opportunity to understand magnetism in such materials.     

Polyethers and thioethers incorporating neutral and cationic organoiron complexes

The synthesis of linear and star-shaped oligomers containing cationic and neutral organoiron groups in their structures was achieved by reaction of cationic arene complexes of cyclopentadienyliron containing terminal hydroxyl groups with 1,1′-ferrocenedicarbonyl chloride or ferrocene carboxylic acid. The use of chloroarene complexes allowed for the formation of triiron complexes that were subsequently polymerized via nucleophilic aromatic substitution with various oxygen- and sulfur-based dinucleophiles. The corresponding polyethers and thioethers were isolated in good yields and these materials exhibited excellent solubilities in polar organic solvents. Cyclic voltammetric investigations revealed that the cationic iron centers pendent to the polymer backbones underwent reversible reduction steps, while the neutral iron centers within the polymer backbones underwent reversible oxidation steps. Photolysis of these polymers resulted in the removal of the cationic cyclopentadienyliron moieties pendent to the polymer backbones. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the cationic iron complexes were cleaved from the polymers at approximately 210 °C. Differentials scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the glass transition temperatures of the cationic polymers occurred at higher temperatures than their neutral analogs.     

Synthesis and properties of bis(dialkylphosphino)ethane iron dihydrides

Syntheses and properties of the iron bisphosphinoethane complexes FeH₂(PP)₂ and FeHCl(PP)₂[PP?R₂PCH₂CH₂CH₂PR₂, where R?Me (PP?DMPE), Et(PP?DEPE), and n-Pr (PP?DprPE)] are reported. The complexes can be formed by reduction of the corresponding dichlorides FeCl₂(PP)₂ with lithium aluminium hydride in THF solution provided that ethanol or more acidic reagents are not employed during the reaction work-up. The dihydrides are notably basic compounds and can be protonated reversibly by alcohols. The dihydrides exist as equilibrating mixtures of cis and trans isomers in solution. The cis isomers of each of the dihydrides are fluxional on the NMR timescale and NMR studies indicate that the interconversion of cis isomers does not necessarily proceed via the trans isomer.     

The structure and dynamics of FeH(DMPE)2(BH4), FeH(DEPE)2(BH4) and FeH(DPrPE)2(BH4): Iron complexes containing monodentate borohydride ligands

FeH(DMPE)₂(BH₄) [DMPE = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane] is a stable, diamagnetic complex which can be synthesized readily by borohydride reduction of FeH(DMPE)₂Cl or by treatment of Fe(DMPE)₂H₂ with borane. The complex contains an unsupported B? H? Fe hydrogen bridge. Analogous complexes with bulkier ligands, FeH(DEPE)₂(BH₄), [DEPE = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane] and FeH(DPrPE)₂(BH₄) [DPrPE = 1,2-bis(di-n-propylphosphino)ethane], are less stable. In all complexes, in solution the borohydride ligand undergoes rapid internal motion, with all four boron-bound hydrogens interchanging environments. The barriers for BH₄ reorientation (measured by NMR spectroscopy) are in the sequence FeH(DMPE)₂(BH)₄ > FeH(DEPE)₂(BH)₄ > FeH(DPrPE)₂(BH₄).     

Cationic organoiron polyelectrolyte three‐arm stars

With nucleophilic aromatic substitution and ester condensation reactions, several new first‐generation dendrimers and star‐shaped molecules containing cationic cyclopentadienyl iron moieties were prepared. Although the solubility of the organoiron star‐shaped molecules with ether bridges in polar solvents was found to decrease with an increase in the size of the molecule, the addition of ester linkages resulted in a sharp decrease in the solubility, regardless of the size. The thermal behavior of these molecules was examined with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of these star‐shaped molecules ranged from 123 to 170 °C. However, the addition of the ester functionality allowed for an increase in the T_g's to 151–194 °C. The star‐shaped molecules were thermally stable up to 200 °C, above which a loss of the cationic cyclopentadienyl iron moieties occurred. Degradation of the ester chains started at 321 °C, and degradation of the ether chains started at 408 °C. Electrochemical studies of the ether star‐shaped molecules showed a reduction of the 18‐electron iron centers to 19‐electron centers. This redox system was reversible at low temperatures, whereas it was irreversible at room temperature. Moreover, an increase in the number of metal moieties caused an overlap and broadening of the redox wave. Viscosity studies showed a polyelectrolyte effect for the organoiron star‐shaped molecules. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1382–1396, 2005     

A synergistic organoiron flame-retarding/smoke-suppressing system for ABS

Commercial acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymers are among the most flammable of the currently available range of thermoplastic materials. In addition to having a rather low limiting oxygen index (LOI) value in the range 18.3–18.8, ABS polymers also produce compious amounts of smoke and hazardous gases when burnign in the air. In a recent study directed towards preparing and evaluating compounds which would simultaneously reduce the flammability and smoke produced from burning thermoplastic polymers, a synergistic flame-retarding/smoke-suppressing system based on organoiron compounds has been produced, which when properly compounded into ABS/PVC [poly(vinyl chloride)] blends more than doubles the LOI nad at the same time reduces smoke production significantly.