Poly(pyrrole-metallodeuteroporphyrin)electrodes: towards electrochemical biomimetic devices

New Cu (II), Mn (III) and Fe (III) deuteroporphyrins functionalized by two electropolymerizable pyrrole groups have been synthesized. The electrooxidation of these metallodeuteroporphyrins has allowed the formation of conducting polypyrrole films exhibiting electrochemical behavior identical to that of the corresponding monomers. In addition, the efficient immobilization of metallodeuteroporphyrins was corroborated by spectrophotometric measurements. Moreover, the potential electrocatalytic properties of Mn (III)-based polypyrrole films in the presence of dioxygen and benzoic anhydride have been illustrated by cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, the recognition properties of Fe (III)-based polypyrrole films have been highlighted with cyanide in organic electrolyte. Preliminary experiments have also demonstrated the feasibility of such recognition processes in aqueous media. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.