The ferrocene (Fc) molecule can be converted to ferrocenium (Fc+) in solution with use of oxidants like AgNO3 and Ga(NO3)3, but the resultant ferrocenium ion is not stable in most aqueous solvents.  In this work, the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to methanol allows for the stable formation of ferrocenium, and the Fc+-PVP complex is stable for several weeks.  The ability of the polymer surfactant PVP to drive the redox chemistry of Fc to Fc+ forward and stabilize the resultant Fc+ ion in solution will be discussed along with possible applications of this complex, including solar cells and catalysis.

Stabilizing effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone for aqueous ferrocenium generation

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.