Sequence-Controlled Metallopolymers: Synthesis and Properties

Sequence-controlled organometallic polymers are prepared by regioselective ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of multiple-substituted cyclooctene monomers with a built-in sequence of the metal-containing substituents. The side-chain metal functions of these metallopolymers are consist of metallocenes, i.e., ferrocene and ruthenocene. The photophysical, thermal, and electrochemical properties can be finely tailored by the metallocene sequence along the polymer chain. This work provides fundamental understanding to unveil the structure-property relationship of sequence-controlled metallopolymers. This highly efficient chain-growth polymerization is expected to incorporate a variety of metal moieties into a single organometallic polymer with site specificity, architectural complexity, and functional versatility. The new sequence-controlled metallopolymers are expected to provide access to materials with potential applications for electrochemical sensing, information processing, and magnetic materials.