Ring opening metathesis polymerization polymer thermodynamics

The reversible nature of the metathesis reaction can lead to ROM reaction of endocyclic olefins under the thermodynamically favored conditions. The self-metathesis process of the ring-opened carbene intermediate, which brings about a polymerization (ROMP), is generally used as the preparation of polymers (Scheme 24.28). On the other hand, the combined process of ROM with the other metathesis is very useful for the synthesis of a monomeric molecule. In contrast to normal RCM and CM reactions, in... 

For norbornene and its derivatives, as indicated by Ivin, the opening of the bicyclic structures results in a considerable release of ring strain when double bond is cleaved during polymerization and monomers polymerize to high conversion. The metathesis reaction of the double bonds in the initial monomers is much less thermodynamically favorable but finally could lead to cross-linked polymers (Scheme 3). ... 

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