Synthesis and anodic polymerisation of an L-cystine derivatised pyrrole; copolymerisation with a tetraalkylammonium pyrrole allows reduction of the cystinyl film to a cysteinyl state that binds electroactive {Fe4S4}2+ centres

Abstract

The cystine derivatised pyrrole I is synthesised and stable neutral polymers or cationic copolymers are produced by anodic oxidation at Pt and glassy carbon electrodes; chemical reduction of cystine–tetraalkylammonium co-functionalised films gives ion-exchange polymers with pendant cysteinyl groups and these thiolate films tightly bind {Fe₄S₄}²⁺ centres giving an electrode–polymer assembly with electroactive, cysteinyl ligated, ferredoxin-like units.