Conductive polymers derived from iron, ruthenium, and osmium metalloporphyrins: The shish-kebab approach

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of pyrazine-bridged polymers of iron(I/IlI), ruthenium(U/Il), and osmium(H/III) octaethylporphyrin (dubbed "shish-kebab" polymers) are presented. Optical and dc conductivity measurements reveal that the ruthenium and osmium poly-m,ers, when partially oxidized, are highly conductive. Electrochemical and ESR results are presented that indicate the existence of an interesting metal-centered conduction pathway. Unlike most of the previously reported porphyrinic molecular metals in which the conduction electrons are macrocyclic-based, electron transport in these materials proceeds exclusively along the metal-pyrazine backbone.