Synthesis of Cyclic Polybutadiene via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization: The Importance of Removing Trace Linear Contaminants

• DOI: 10.1021/ja034524l
• Publication Date: 2003-07-09T05:06:00Z
• Authors: Christopher W. Bi...; Diego Benitez; Robert H. Grubbs
• Keywords: ROMP; Ring-opening metathesis polymerisation

The synthesis of cyclic polybutadienes using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was accomplished. A Ru alkylidene catalyst, where a terminal ligand covalently linked to the alkylidene, used polymerize either 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) or 1,5,9-trans-cis-trans-cyclododecatriene (CDT). Trace amounts an acyclic impurity, 4-vinylcyclohexene, found in COD led samples which were contaminated with linear polymer. In contrast, CDT, free afforded pure These results provide convenient method for discerning polymer from those contain trace large Furthermore, they emphasize need use monomers that are impurities when preparing polymers ROMP.