Synthesis, characterization and polymerization of metal pyrrolyl complexes

Four new pyrrolyl complexes of Ni(II) and Pd(II) have been prepared and characterized. These complexes undergo oxidative polymerization to give semiconducting materials with conductivities as high as 0.025 S/cm. When polymerized in the presence of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, the polymers are soluble in organic solvents and may be cast into high quality films. The polymer prepared from (6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine)pyrrolylpalladium(II) is strongly photoluminescent.