Ring-Opening Polymerization of a [1]Silaferrocenophane Within the Channels of Mesoporous Silica: Poly(ferrocenylsilane)-MCM-41 Precursors to Magnetic Iron Nanostructures

Ring-opening polymerization inside the channels of mesoporous silica is reported for the first time. A composite material consisting of mesoporous silica and the [1]silaferrocenophane shown in the Figure has been examined by solid-state NMR and powder X-ray diffractometry. It is demonstrated that the products of the polymerization and subsequent pyrolysis remain predominantly within the channels of the host material.