Metathesis ring opening polymerization of 5,6-dimethylenebicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene

Abstract

5,6-Dimethylenebicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (I) polymerizes in the presence of the two-component ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) initiators WCl6/(CH3)4Sn and MoCl5/(CH3)4Sn. The product polymers were insoluble in all of many solvents investigated and are presumably cross-linked. The product polymers were investigated by IR and solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy, which established that the material consisted predominantly of poly(1,4-(2,3-dimethylene-cyclopentylene)vinylene) (II). A possible alternative route to II via thermal dehydrochlorination of poly(1,4-(2,3-bis(chloromethyl)cyclopentylene) vinylene) (IV) was also examined.