12/01/2016

Redox-Robust Pentamethylferrocene Polymers and Supramolecular Polymers, and Controlled Self-Assembly of Pentamethylferricenium Polymer-Embedded Ag, AgI, and Au Nanoparticles

Title: Redox-Robust Pentamethylferrocene Polymers and Supramolecular Polymers, and Controlled Self-Assembly of Pentamethylferricenium Polymer-Embedded Ag, AgI, and Au Nanoparticles
Authors:

Gu H., Ciganda R., Castel P., Vax A., Gregurec D., Irigoyen J., Moya S., Salmon L., Zhao P., Ruiz J., Hernández R. and Astruc D.

Journal: Chem.-Eur. J., 21, 18177 - 18182 (2015)

The PMF polymers were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a PMF-containing norbornene derivative by using the third-generation Grubbs ruthenium metathesis catalyst. Cyclic voltammetry studies allowed us to determine confidently the number of monomer units in the polymers through the Bard-Anson method. Stoichiometric oxidation by using ferricenium hexafluorophosphate quantitatively and instantaneously provided fully stable (even in aerobic solutions) blue d5 FeIII metallopolymers. Alternatively, oxidation of the PMF-containing polymers was conducted by reactions with AgI or AuIII, to give PMFium polymer-embedded Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs). In the presence of I2, oxidation by using AgI gave polymer-embedded Ag/AgI NPs and AgNPs at the surface of AgI NPs. Oxidation by using AuIII also produced an AuI intermediate that was trapped and characterized. Engineered single-electron transfer reactions of these redox-robust nanomaterial precursors appear to be a new way to control their formation, size, and environment in a supramolecular way.