Ring-opening polymerizations thermodynamic considerations

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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