RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION OF ENDO-5-METHOXYMETHYLBICYCLO[2.2.1]HEPT-2-ENE AND EXO-5-METHOXYMETHYLBICYCLO[2.2.1]HEPT-2-ENE - MICROSTRUCTURE OF THE POLYMERS

The title monomers 1 and 2 were polymerized by Ru-, Ir-, Mo-, W- and Re-based metathesis catalysts to yield polymers with cis contents ranging from 10% to at least 90% for 1 and 23-60% for 2. Assignments of the C-13 NMR spectra were made. No significant head-tail bias was observed in either polymer. A high-trans polymer made from the optically active endo monomer ((-)-1) was atactic, while high-cis polymers could be either atactic or biased towards syndiotactic, depending on the catalyst.