Electrode materials and processes for their preparation

An electrode material comprising a film of a metallic material and a compound of any one of Formulae I to IV:

• wherein,
• R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a group selected from halogen (e.g. F, CI or Br), optionally halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl, CN, —NO2, —SO2OM2, —OP(O)(OM2)2, —P(O)(OM2)2, or —C(O)OM2, wherein M2 is a cation of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, or a —OC(O)alkyl, —SO2NH2, —SO2NHalkyl, or —SO2N(alkyl)2 group;
• R10 is a hydrogen atom or a carbohydrate, wherein the carbohydrate is a natural or synthetic carbohydrate (e.g. mono or disaccharide, oligo and polysaccharides, e.g. β-D-glucose or cellulose);
• X1 is, independently in each occurrence, selected from O, S, NH, NR9, and PH, wherein R9 is selected from natural or synthetic carbohydrate and protective groups, for instance an amine protective group such as trifluoroacetamide, t-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc), benzyl (Bn), and the like;
• and
• i. a, c and e are single bonds, b and d are double bonds, X2 is O, and M1 is H or a cation of an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion forming a salt with X2 (e.g. M1 is Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, or Mg2+) wherein the ratio of cation to the rest of the compound of Formula I provides electroneutrality (e.g. M1 may be Li+ or (Mg2+)1/2);
• or
• ii. a, c and e are double bonds, b and d are single bonds, X2 is O or NOH (oxime), and M1 is absent;
• a geometric isomer (e.g. cis or trans) of a compound of Formula I, II or Ill, or a tautomer, oxidized form or salt of a compound of Formula IV;
• or a carbohydrate (mono or disaccharide, oligo and polysaccharides, e.g. β-D-glucose or cellulose) complex or conjugate thereof.