A cross-linked conjugated metallopolymer comprised of bisaxially coordinated ruthenium tetra-t-butyl phthalocyanine connected by quaterthiophene linkers

Abstract A ruthenium tetra- t -butylphthalocyanine bisaxially ligated with 3,5-bis(2,2′-bithiophene-5-yl)pyridine was synthesized from ruthenium tetra- t -butylphthalocyanine dimer. The complex was electropolymerized (in CH 2 Cl 2 and CH 3 CN, with and without addition of BF 3 ·Et 2 O) to yield an insoluble conjugated metallopolymer, which was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry. The polymer combines the electrochemical and spectral properties of the phthalocyanine and of a polythiophene-type conjugated polymer. In the presence of BF 3 , the polymer can be reversibly p-doped and de-doped. Materials obtained in CH 2 Cl 2 (tested in the same solvent) and in CH 3 CN/BF 3 (tested in CH 3 CN) exhibit an unusual hysteresis of redox properties.