Thermal Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Hydrocarbon‐Bridged [2]Ferrocenophanes: Synthesis and Properties of Poly(ferrocenylethylene)s and Their Charge‐Transfer Polymer Salts with Tetracyanoethylene

Abstract The poly(ferrocenylethylene)s [Fe(η‐C 5 H 3 RCH 2 ) 2 ] n 5a and 5b ( a : R = H, b : R = Me) have been prepared by thermal ring‐opening polymerization of the corresponding strained hydrocarbon‐bridged [2]ferrocenophanes [Fe(η‐C 5 ‐H 3 RCH 2 ) 2 ] ( 4a and 4b ). An X‐ray diffraction study of 4a indicated significant strain. Polymer 5a was crystalline and insoluble in common organic solvents and was characterized by solid‐state 13 C …