Electrochemistry: A Tool for Characterization of Hybrid Materials Obtained by Non-Hydrolytic Sol-Gel Route and Containing Ferrocene Derivatives

The 1,1-ferrocenediyldichlorosilane 1 was introduced into oxide matrices (SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃) by non-hydrolytic sol-gel route. In all cases some degradation of the ferrocenyl moiety occurred. The materials were immobilized onto an electrode surface as a composite film with PTFE and their cyclic voltammograms were studied. For each sample a reduction wave around –375 mV was evidenced which was attributed to the reduction of [Fe^III Cl_x]^{3 – x} species arising from the decomposition of ferrocenyl species during the condensation process.