Substituted metallocenes and electrochromic media and devices comprising the same

• US 20030039020A1
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey R. Lomprey, Thomas F. Guarr
• Inventors: Guarr, Thomas F., Lomprey, Jeffrey R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,594,066 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: C07F 17/02 of metals of Groups 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic System
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions

Abstract

An electrochromic device comprising at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, and an electrochromic medium which comprises a solvent, a cathodic material, and an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula:

wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least three of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of one or more functional groups comprising nitrites; nitro constituents; sulfoxides; sulfonates; phosphonium constituents; phosphonates; phosphonites; ammonium constituents; viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents; carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates; ketones; esters; and amides; ethers, including polyethers; amines, including tertiary amines; alkenes; alkynes; and mixtures thereof; wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and wherein M comprises a transition metal.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

(b) an electrochromic medium which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic material; and

(3) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula;

wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least three of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

2. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least four of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

3. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, wherein at least two of R₁-R₅ are the same or different and at least two of R₆R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammoniumn constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates;

carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides, ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 3, wherein two of R₁-R₅ are the same or different and two of R₆-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to one or more ammonium constituents.

5. The electrochromic device according to claim 4, wherein one of R₁-R₅ is linked to an ammonium constituent.

6. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least four of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing 3 to 40 carbon atoms, and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing 1 to 40 silicon atoms, wherein the carbon or silicon atoms may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

7. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein M comprises Fe.

8. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, wherein M comprises Fe.

9. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from the group comprising 3-methylsulfolane, sulfolane, glutaronitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, acetonitrile, polyethers including tetraglyme, alcohols including ethoxyethanol, nitrites including 3-hydroxypropionitrile, 2-methylglutaronitrile, ketones including 2-acetylbutyrolactone, cyclopentanone, cyclic esters including beta-propiolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, gamma-valerolactone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate and homogenous mixtures of the same.

10. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the anodic electrochromic material ranges from approximately 1 mM to approximately 500 mM.

11. The electrochromic device according to claim 10, wherein the concentration of the anodic electrochromic material ranges from approximately 5 mM to approximately 50 mM.

12. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, further comprising a cross-linked polymer matrix or a free standing gel.

13. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the cathodic material is selected from the group comprising metal oxides, including WO₃, bipyridinyl based viologens, including methyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, octyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, phenylpropyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, and hydroxyethyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, polymeric viologens, and mixtures thereof.

14. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, comprising a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith and a second substrate.

15. The electrochromic device according to claim 14, wherein the device is an electrochromic window.

16. The electrochromic device according to claim 14, wherein the second substrate is plated with a reflective material.

17. The electrochromic device according to claim 16, wherein the reflective material is selected from the group comprising chromium, rhodium, ruthenium, silver, alloys of the same, and mixtures thereof.

18. The electrochromic device according to claim 16, wherein the device is an electrochromic mirror.

19. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

(b) an electrochromic medium which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic material; and

(3) an anodic electrochromic material which comprises a metallocene, wherein the metallocene comprises at least three substituents which serve to increase stability of the metallocene relative to the stability of the metallocene without the at least three substituents.

20. The electrochromic device according to claim 19, wherein the metallocene comprises a substituted ferrocene.

21. The electrochromic device according to claim 19, wherein the at least three substituents are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof.

22. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising

(a) a solvent;

(b) a cathodic material; and

(c) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula;

wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least three of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

23. The electrochromic medium according to claim 22, wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least four of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

24. The electrochromic medium according to claim 23, wherein at least two of R₁-R₅ are the same or different and at least two of R₆-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s);

and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates;

carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides, ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof.

25. The electrochromic medium according to claim 24, wherein two of R₁-R₅ are the same or different and two of R₆-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to one or more ammonium constituents.

26. The electrochromic medium according to claim 25, wherein one of R₁-R₅ is linked to an ammonium constituent.

27. The electrochromic medium according to claim 22, wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least four of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing 3 to 40 carbon atoms, and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing 1 to 40 silicon atoms, wherein the carbon or silicon atoms may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

28. The electrochromic medium according to claim 23, wherein M comprises Fe.

29. The electrochromic medium according to claim 22, wherein the solvent is selected from the group comprising 3-methylsulfolane, sulfolane, glutaronitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, acetonitrile, polyethers including tetraglyme, alcohols including ethoxyethanol, nitrites including 3-hydroxypropionitrile, 2-methylglutaronitrile, ketones including 2-acetylbutyrolactone, cyclopentanone, cyclic esters including beta-propiolactone, gamma-butyrolactone, gamma-valerolactone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate and homogenous mixtures of the same.

30. The electrochromic medium according to claim 22, wherein the concentration of the anodic electrochromic material ranges from approximately 1 mM to approximately 500 mM.

31. The electrochromic medium according to claim 30, wherein the concentration of the anodic electrochromic material ranges from approximately 5 mM to approximately 50 mM.

32. The electrochromic medium according to claim 22, further comprising a cross-linked polymer matrix or a free standing gel.

33. The electrochromic medium according to claim 22, wherein the cathodic material is elected from the group comprising metal oxides, including WO₃, bipyridinyl based viologens, including methyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, octyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, phenylpropyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, and hydroxyethyl viologen tetrafluoroborate, polymeric viologens, and mixtures thereof.

34. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a solvent;

(b) a cathodic material; and

(c) an anodic electrochromic material which comprises a metallocene, wherein the metallocene comprises at least three substituents which serve to increase stability of the metallocene relative to the stability of the metallocene without the at least three substituents.

35. The electrochromic medium according to claim 34, wherein the metallocene comprises a substituted ferrocene.

36. The electrochromic medium according to claim 34, wherein the at least three substituents are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof.

37. An anodic electrochromic material for use in an electrochromic device represented by the formula:

38. The anodic electrochromic material according to claim 37, wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least four of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof, wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀(comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

39. The anodic electrochromic material according to claim 38, wherein at least two of R₁-R₅ are the same or different and at least two of R₆-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s);

and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates;

carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides, ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof.

40. The anodic electrochromic material according to claim 39, wherein two of R₁-R₅ are the same or different and two of R₆-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to one or more ammonium constituents.

41. The anodic electrochromic material according to claim 40, wherein one of R₁-R₅ is linked to an ammonium constituent.

42. The anodic electrochromic material according to claim 37, wherein R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and at least four of R₁-R₁₀ are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing 3 to 40 carbon atoms, and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing 3 to 40 silicon atoms, wherein the carbon or silicon atoms may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, n;

including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein any remainder of R₁-R₁₀ comprise H; and

wherein M comprises a transition metal.

43. The anodic electrochromic material according to claim 38, wherein M comprises Fe.

44. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

(b) an electrochromic medium which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic material; and

(3) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula;

wherein M comprises a transition metal;

wherein X₁-X₁₀ are the same or different and comprise C, Si, or H;

wherein R_n1-R_n10 are the same or different and comprise O, C, or a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein n₁-n₁₀are the same or different and comprise 0, 1, 2, or 3, and are the number of bonds between a given X and associated constituent(s) other than hydrogen;

wherein Z₁-Z₁₀are the same or different and comprise 0 or 1; and

wherein

$\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>n_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>z_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\mathrm{or}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(n_y+z_y\right)\ge <br><br>9.$

45. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a solvent;

(b) a cathodic material; and

(c) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula;

wherein M comprises a transition metal;

wherein X₁-X₁₀ are the same or different and comprise C, Si, or H;

wherein R_n1,-R_n10 are the same or different and comprise O, C, or a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein n₁-n₁₀are the same or different and comprise 0, 1, 2, or 3, and are the number of bonds between a given X and associated constituent(s) other than hydrogen;

wherein Z₁-Z₁₀are the same or different and comprise 0 or 1; and

wherein

$\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>n_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>z_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\mathrm{or}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(n_y+z_y\right)\ge <br><br>9.$

46. An anodic electrochromic material for use in an electrochromic device represented by the formula:

47. An electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and

(b) an electrochromic medium which comprises;

(1) a solvent;

(2) a cathodic material; and

(3) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula;

Mc-(ER_nH_3-n)_z^y

wherein Mc is a metallocene;

wherein E is either C or Si;

wherein E is bound to a carbon atom contained within a cyclopentadienyl ring of the metallocene;

wherein y designates 1 through 10 carbon atom positions of the cyclopentadienyl rings of the metallocene;

wherein R is the same or different and comprises O, C, or a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein n is the same or different and comprises 0, 1, 2, or 3, and are the number of bonds E to R, other than hydrogen, for each cyclopentadienyl position y;

wherein z is 0 or 1, and if z is 0, then (ER_nH_3-n) is defined as hydrogen; and

wherein

$\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>n_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>z_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\mathrm{or}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(n_y+z_y\right)\ge <br><br>9.$

48. An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

(a) a solvent;

(b) a cathodic material; and

(c) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula;

Mc-(ER_nH_3-n)_z^y

wherein Mc is a metallocene;

wherein E is either C or Si;

wherein E is bound to a carbon atom contained within a cyclopentadienyl ring of the metallocene;

wherein y designates 1 through 10 carbon atom positions of the cyclopentadienyl rings of the metallocene;

wherein R is the same or different and comprises O, C, or a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof, wherein n is the same or different and comprises 0, 1, 2, or 3, and are the number of bonds E to R, other than hydrogen, for each cyclopentadienyl position y;

wherein z is 0 or 1, and if z is 0, then (ER_nH_3-n) is defined as hydrogen; and

wherein

$\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>n_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>z_y\ge <br><br>7;<br><br>\mathrm{or}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\underset{y=1}{\overset{10}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(n_y+z_y\right)\ge <br><br>9.$

49. An anodic electrochromic material for use in an electrochromic device represented by the formula:

Mc-(ER_nH_3-n)_z^y

wherein Mc is a metallocene;

wherein E is either C or Si;

wherein E is bound to a carbon atom contained within a cyclopentadienyl ring of the metallocene;

wherein y designates 1 through 10 carbon atom positions of the cyclopentadienyl rings of the metallocene;

wherein R is the same or different and comprises O, C, or a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitriles;

nitro constituents;

sulfoxides;

sulfonates;

phosphonium constituents;

phosphonates;

phosphonites;

ammonium constituents;

viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents;

carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates;

ketones;

esters; and

amides;

ethers, including polyethers;

amines, including tertiary amines;

alkenes;

alkynes; and

mixtures thereof;

wherein n is the same or different and comprises 0, 1, 2, or 3, and are the number of bonds E to R, other than hydrogen, for each cyclopentadienyl) position y;

wherein z is 0 or 1, z is 0, then (ER_nH_3-n) is defined as hydrogen; and

wherein