Synthesis of Conjugated Optically Active Polymetallocenes

The development of methodology for synthesizing new materials in which metal atoms are linked by hydrocarbons whose electronic conjugation is unbroken is described. The fundamental idea is to twist the hydrocarbons into helices. By attaching bulky groups to their precursors, the helices can be made to twist mainly in one direction. The molecules synthesized are helicenes capped by five-membered rings to which metals are attached. If the size of the helix is chosen appropriately, a polymeric structure forms in which hydrocarbon rings and metal atoms alternate. An oligomer with Structure 22 is the first such material prepared. It and related structures might be precursors of molecular solenoids, examples of which are not yet known.