Iron–sulphur clusters in ionic polymers on electrodes

Abstract

The cluster [Fe₄S₄(SPh)₄]^2– can be incorporated in electrode-bound ion-exchange polymers based on N-substituted poly(pyrroles) and such electrode assemblies show well defined redox behaviour in MeCN, MeOH, and aqueous electrolytes; electrostatic binding in the polymer matrix is shown to exert a considerable influence on its primary and secondary reduction potentials, which are shifted about 180 mV positive of their solution values, suggesting that in principle ion–ion interactions could provide a mechanism for modulating cubane redox potentials in a biological matrix.