Redox-active organic-metallic hybrid thin films

Since C₆₀ has LUMOs in relatively low energy, it is easily reduced and re-oxidized. Due to such an interesting electronic structure, syntheses of polymers using C₆₀ units are paid considerable attention to. Redoxactive fullerene polymers are possible candidates for electronic devices, sensors, or polymer batteries. We have been focusing on the electrochemical preparation of fullerene based redox-active films, and here, describe studies to synthesize fullerene-metal films. A toluene-acetonitrile solution of C₆₀ showed three reversible redox waves between 0V and -2.0V. In the same condition, cis-Pt(py)₂Cl₂ was reduced near -1.95V, but was not re-oxidized. In either case, no redox-active film was formed. However, electrochemical reduction of a toluene-acetonitrile (4:1 v/v) solution in the presence of both C₆₀ and cis-Pt(py) ₂Cl₂ produces a redox-active, organic-metallic hybrid thin film (C₆₀/Pt) on the electrode surface. The C₆₀/Pt film is believed to consist of a network of ...C₆₀Pt(C₆₀Pt) _nC₆₀Pt...units in which Pt centers are covalently bound to the fullerenes in η²-fashion. Other C₆₀/M films with Pd, Ir and Rh were also synthesized when the right starting compounds were selected.