Conducting metallopolymers: the roles of molecular architecture and redox matching

Recent reports of highly conductive metallopolymers are reviewed. This literature is classified into one of two categories (inner or outer sphere) depending on the mode of interaction between the transition metal centers with each other and the conducting polymer backbone. The critical nature of charge transport is discussed in the context of the relative energies of the organic polymer-based and metal-centered redox processes. Also included are recent advances in the development of functional materials based on metal-containing conducting polymers.