Rings and Chains: Synthesis and Characterization of Polyferrocenylmethylene

The synthesis and characterization of polyferrocenylmethylene (PFM) starting from dilithium 2,2-bis(cyclopentadienide)propane and a Me₂ C[1]magnesocenophane is reported. Molecular weights of up to M_w  = 11 700 g mol^-1 featuring a dispersity, Ð, of 1.40 can be achieved. The material is studied by different methods comprising nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements elucidating the molecular structure and thermal properties of these novel polymers. Moreover, cyclic voltammetry (CV) reveals quasi-reversible oxidation and reduction behavior and communication between the iron centers. Also, the crystal structure of a related cyclic hexamer is presented.

Polymers in the Medical Antiviral Front-Line

Antiviral polymers are part of a major campaign led by the scientific community in recent years. Facing this most demanding of campaigns, two main approaches have been undertaken by scientists. First, the classic approach involves the development of relatively small molecules having antiviral properties to serve as drugs. The other approach involves searching for polymers with antiviral properties to be used as prescription medications or viral spread prevention measures. This second approach took two distinct directions. The first, using polymers as antiviral drug-delivery systems, taking advantage of their biodegradable properties. The second, using polymers with antiviral properties for on-contact virus elimination, which will be the focus of this review. Anti-viral polymers are obtained by either the addition of small antiviral molecules (such as metal ions) to obtain ion-containing polymers with antiviral properties or the use of polymers composed of an organic backbone and electrically charged moieties like polyanions, such as carboxylate containing polymers, or polycations such as quaternary ammonium containing polymers. Other approaches include moieties hybridized by sulphates, carboxylic acids, or amines and/or combining repeating units with a similar chemical structure to common antiviral drugs. Furthermore, elevated temperatures appear to increase the anti-viral effect of ions and other functional moieties.

A Novel Polymethyl Methacrylate Derivative Grafted with Cationic Iridium(III) Complex Units: Synthesis and Application in White Light-Emitting Diodes

A novel orange-yellow-emitting polymethyl methacrylate derivative grafted with cationic iridium(III) complex units was synthesized and used as down-conversion luminescent materials in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The polymer had a thermal decomposition temperature (T_d) of 275 °C. With the temperature increasing from 20 to 100 °C, its photoluminescent intensity decreased to 76.8% with thermal quenching activation energy (E_a) of 0.2775 eV. A series of LEDs was fabricated by 460 nm blue GaN chips and the polymer blended in silicone at different concentrations. At 4.0 wt %, a cold white LED was obtained, the correlated color temperature (CCT) was 10,050 K, color rendering index (CRI) was 71.2, luminous efficiency (η_L) was 5.3 lm·w⁻¹, and Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates were (0.30, 0.24). At 5.0 wt.%, the LED emitted neutral white light, its CCT was 4938 K, CRI was 75, η_L was 13.8 lm·w⁻¹, and the CIE value was (0.34, 0.27). At 5.5 wt %, 6.0 wt %, 7.0 wt %, and 8.0 wt %, the LEDs all emitted warm white light; their CCTs were 3446, 3093, 2557, and 2337 K, respectively; their CRIs were 73.6, 71.8, 63.8, and 59.0, respectively; their η_L were 18.1, 16.3, 14.8, and 13.7 lm·w⁻¹, respectively; and their CIE values were (0.36, 0.30), (0.40, 0.35), (0.45, 0.38), and (0.50, 0.42), respectively. At 9.0 wt %, the blue light of GaN chip was completely absorbed by the polymer and only the orange-yellow light of the polymer emitted. The results suggested the polymer was a promising orange-yellow-emitting phosphor candidate for white LEDs, especially for warm white LEDs.

Recent Advances in Metal-Containing Polymer Hydrogels

Metal-containing polymer hydrogels have attracted increasing interest in recent years due to their outstanding properties such as biocompatibility, recoverability, self-healing, and/or redox activity. In this short review, methods for the preparation of metal-containing polymer hydrogels are introduced and an overview of these hydrogels with various functionalities is given. It is hoped that this short update can stimulate innovative ideas to promote the research of metal-containing hydrogels in the communities.

Synthesis of Air-Stable Cyclopentadienyl Fe(CO)2 (Fp) Polymers by a Host-Guest Interaction of Cyclodextrin with Air-Sensitive Fp Pendant Groups

Host-guest chemistry is used to address the challenge of the synthesis of air-stable polymers containing air-sensitive metal complexes. The complexation of the CpFe(CO)₂ (Fp) pendent group with cyclodextrin (CD) molecules created air-stable poly(Fp-methylstyrene) P(CD/FpMSt). This CD complexation resulted in dimerization of the adjacent Fp groups, which was characterized by NMR, FTIR, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analyses. P(CD/FpMSt) was soluble in DMSO and remained stable even the solution was exposed to air for months. The host-guest chemistry accounted for the improved stability, because the Fp groups decomposed upon removal of the CD molecules using competing guest molecules. The CD-complexed polymer showed light-trigged properties, including CO release and antimicrobial activity. Host-guest chemistry of air-sensitive organometallic complexes is therefore a promising technique that can be used to broaden the scope of metal-containing polymers (MCPs) with processable novel functions.

Metal-containing polymers via electropolymerization

Electropolymerization represents a suitable and well-established approach for the assembly of polymer structures, in particular with regard to the formation of thin, insoluble films. Utilization of monomers that are functionalized with metal complex units allows the combination of structural and functional benefits of polymers and metal moieties. Since a broad range of both electropolymerizable monomers and metal complexes are available, various structures and, thus, applications are possible. Recent developments in the field of synthesis and potential applications of metal-functionalized polymers obtained via electropolymerization are presented, highlighting the significant advances in this field of research.

Effect of Electrical Conductivity Through the Bulk Doping of the Product of Titanocene Dichloride and 2-Nitro-1,4-phenylenediamine

The condensation polymer derived from reaction between titanocene dichloride and 2-nitro-1,4-phenylenediamine was doped by mixing the polymer with different amounts of iodine. This bulk doping of the titanocene polyamine resulted in an increase in bulk conductivity from 10 to over 1,000 fold. Conductivity increased to a doping level of about 10 to 15% iodine. Conductivity decreased as the sample discs were heated returning to pre-doped levels after the samples were heated for eight minutes. It is believed that this decrease in conductivity is due to the surface evaporation of iodine as the samples were heated. MALDI MS and IR results are consistent with the formation of C-I compounds for doped materials.