The Polymerization of Metal-Containing Vinylic Monomers of Iron and Tungsten with Metal–Carbon σ Bonds

A series of metal-containing vinylic monomers of the type \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} $${\text{L}}_n {\text{MCOC}}_6 {\text{H}}_4 {\text{CH = CH}}_2 $$ \end{document} and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} $${\text{L}}_n {\text{MCOCH = CHC}}_{\text{6}} {\text{H}}_5 [{\text{L}}_n {\text{M = (}}\eta ^{\text{5}} {\text{ - C}}_{\text{5}} {\text{H}}_{\text{5}} {\text{Fe(CO)}}_{\text{2}} {\text{),(}}\eta ^{\text{5}} {\text{ - C}}_{\text{5}} {\text{Me}}_{\text{5}} {\text{)Fe(CO)}}_{\text{2}} ),{\text{(}}\eta ^{\text{5}} {\text{ - C}}_{\text{5}} {\text{H}}_{\text{5}} {\text{W(CO)}}_{\text{3}} )]$$ \end{document} was homopolymerized using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the free-radical initiator. These monomers were also copolymerized with styrene in the presence of AIBN. These compounds represent a class of organometallic polymers in which the metal is bonded to the polymer backbone via a metal–carbon σ bond. The new compounds were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and thermoanalytical studies (DSC and TGA). The properties of the new organometallic polymers are discussed.