Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Some Main-Chain Ferrocene-Based Polymers Containing Aromatic Units

Four main-chain ferrocene-based polymers containing aromatic units, including poly(o-Cresolphthalein 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylate) (PCPFD), poly(cresol red 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylate) (PCRFD), poly(2,4-quinolinediol 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylate) (PQDFD), and poly(sudan orange G 1,1′-ferrocene dicarboxylate) (PSOFD), were successfully synthesized. The solution polycondensation reaction was employed for the synthesis of PCPFD and PCRFD while PQDFD and PSOFD were synthesized via an interfacial polycondensation reaction. The synthesized polymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, UV–VIS absorption and FTIR spectra and X-ray diffraction. The synthesized main-chain ferrocene-based polymers are generally amorphous. The effect of organic solvent, scan rate, electrolyte concentration and [Fe] concentration on the cyclic voltammetric behavior of the synthesized polymers were examined. The thermal properties were investigated employing thermogravimetric analysis. The results revealed the relative thermal stability of the polymers. The liquid crystalline properties were studied. The results indicated that the synthesized polymers exhibited nematic phases during the scan cycles of heating and cooling with high phase duration.