Mixed 1D−2D Inorganic Polymeric Zinc Ferrocenylphosphonate: Crystal Structure and Electrochemical Study

Needs for ferrocene immobilization on robust host structures are considerable since derivative
materials may find applications in medical areas, optical devices, or catalysis. Synthesis of phosphonate
functionalized ferrocene allowed its subsequent inorganic polymerization with a zinc salt. The crystallographic
structure of the compound obtained, Zn(HO3PFc)2·2H2O, shows a unique two-dimensional ferrocene
arrangement anchored on a one-dimensional Zn−O−P−O−Zn backbone. The ferrocene packing in the
title compound is very similar to the packing found in molecular ferrocene. The electroactivity of Zn(HO3PFc)2·2H2O is thoroughly studied. It shows a reversible surface oxidation of ferrocene. Mössbauer
spectroscopy for the oxidized compound shows an isomer shift of IS2b = 0.432 mm.s-1 and a quadrupolar
splitting of QS2b = 0.205 mm.s-1, which is consistent with a stable S = 1/2 ferrocenium state. The magnetic
susceptibility study, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and galvanostatic titration show that only the ferrocene
moieties present at the surface of the crystallites are reversibly oxidized. This observation is reinforced by
a complex impedance study showing mainly resistive behavior and conductivity measurements indicating
weak, thermally assisted, conductivity. The general properties of this compound demonstrate that
phosphonato functionalization may be a useful approach for all fields concerned by immobilization of
ferrocene.