Conducting metallopolymers based on azaferrocene.

A series of 2,5-thiophene-substituted 1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-pentamethylazaferrocene complexes were synthesized and electropolymerized to produce polymers with fully pi-conjugated backbones. The length and hence oxidation potential of the conjugated linker (the thiophene fragments) between the metal centers were varied to understand the influence of the metal-metal interactions on the overall electroactivity of the resulting polymer. These complexes were electrochemically polymerized, and the resulting polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, in situ conductivity, and spectroelectrochemistry measurements. The iron-centered oxidations significantly increased the conductivity of the polymer. The results reveal that shorter conjugated linkers cause the onset of conductivity to occur at lower potentials. This effect implies that a superexchange mechanism is likely operative in the charge migration of these polymers.