ACYCLIC DIENE METATHESIS (ADMET) POLYMERIZATION - SYNTHESIS OF UNSATURATED POLYETHERS

Previously unknown unsaturated polyethers from acyclic, ether-containing dienes have first been obtained via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization in the presence of the catalyst W(CH-t-Bu)(N-2,6-C6H3-i-Pr2)[OCMe(CF3)2]2. Polymer yields are high, and number-average molecular weights up to M(n)BAR = 15 000-18 000 are observed. Structural assignments of the polymers are based on C-13 NMR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The polymerizability of the ether-containing alpha,omega-diene appears to be a function of the distance between the ether oxygen and the metathesizing double bond in the monomer. An ether-containing diene has also been copolymerized with 1,9-decadiene.