Coordination and adsorption of acetylene in the poly[(vinylcyclopentadienyl)manganese] membrane

A copolymer of (vinylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylmanganese (CpMn) and octyl methacrylate forms its acetylene-coordinated complex reversibly and stably in the solvent-free membrane state. Kinetic and equilibrium constants of the acetylene coordination to the CpMn residue in the copolymer membrane are determined spectroscopically in situ. The acetylene coordination parameters are much smaller than those of the corresponding nitrogen coordination. Acetylene transport for the membrane is expected to be selectively augmented due to the coordination of acetylene to the fixed CpMn. However, acetylene transport behavior is in accordance with total immobilization of acetylene on the CpMn residue in the acetylene permeation through the membrane.