Functionalization of poly(metallocenes) via hydrosilylation: Synthesis and properties of thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(ferrocenylsilanes)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(97)00254-4

Hydrosilylation of poly(ferrocenylmethylhydrosilane) [Fe(η-C₅H₄)₂SiMeH]_n with 1-hexene and ethyl acrylate was achieved using Karstedt's catalyst with degrees of functionalization of ca 80%. Using a similar strategy, 4-pentoxy-4′-hydroxyhexanoxyazobenzene or 4-pentoxy-4′-hydroxyundecyloxyazo-benzene acrylate side chains were successfully attached to the poly(metallocene) main chain. The resulting functionalized poly(ferrocenylsilanes) represent the first examples of calamitic thermotropic side chain liquid crystal polymers with ferrocene groups in the backbone.