Incorporation of ferrocene into polypyrrole films via an ionic adduct with boron trifluoride

1-(Ferrocenyl)ethanol has been immobilized within polypyrrole films during their electrochemical deposition, or following their deposition, via its adduct with boron trifluoride. Dissociation of H⁺ from this adduct, formed in a solution of boron trifluoride diethyl ether (BFEE) in acetonitrile, produces an anion that can act as a counterion for oxidized polypyrrole. Its subsequent hydrolysis produces a polypyrrole film containing neutral 1-(ferrocenyl)ethanol which was found to be strongly retained. In addition to producing a novel type of polypyrrole–ferrocene composite, this work provides clear evidence to support the efficacy of this methodology for the incorporation of neutral species within conducting polymer films.