Ring-opening insertion metathesis polymerization

Alternating copolymers have been previously synthesized via metathesis polymerization by Grubbs et al. using ring-opening insertion metathesis polymerization (ROIMP) [120,121]. Here, a fast ROMP polymerization of a cyclic olefin... 

Olefin metathesis (olefin disproportionation) is the reaction of two alkenes in which the redistribution of the olelinic bonds takes place with the aid of transition metal catalysts (Scheme 7.7). The reaction proceeds with an intermediate formation of a metallacyclobutene. This may either break down to provide two new olefins, or open up to generate a metal alkylidene species which -by multiple alkene insertion- may lead to formation of alkylidenes with a polymeric moiety [21]. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is the reaction of cyclic olefins in which backbone-unsaturated polymers are obtained. The driving force of this process is obviously in the relief of the ring strain of the monomers. 

In addition to the design of the solubility properties, the reactivity of organome-tallic species toward CO2 [13] (and many other potential supercritical reaction media) must be considered as important criteria for the choice of the catalyst. For example, the bisallyl ruthenium complex shown in Table 1 cannot be utilized as a precursor for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) in SCCO2, because the insertion of CO2 into the Ru-allyl bond prevents the initiation mechanism [14]. Metal-mediated oxygen transfer to form CO and phosphine oxide was found to lead to deactivation of the [Ni(cod)2]/PMe3 (cod = 1,5-m-cycloocta-diene) catalyst system [15]. On the other hand, the reactivity of CO2 with metal... 

The reactive intermediates used in chain-growth polymerizations include radicals, carbanions, carbocations, and organometallic complexes. Of the three common metal catalyzed polymerizations - coordination-insertion, ring-opening metathesis and diene polymerization - the last appears to possess the greatest tolerance toward protic solvents. The polymerization of butadiene in polar solvents was first reported in 1961 using Rh salts [18]. It was discovered that these polymerizations could be performed in aqueous solution with an added emulsifier (sodium dodecyl sulfate, for example). 

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