AQUEOUS RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION OF EXO,EXO-2,3-BIS(METHOXYMETHYL)-7-OXANORBORNENE CATALYZED BY RUTHENIUM TRICHLORIDE

exo,exo-2,3-Bis(methoxymethyl)-7-oxanorbornene was polymerized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) catalyzed by commercial ruthenium trichloride with aqueous ethanol as solvent. The rate of polymerization (R(p)) was followed by C-13 NMR as a function of monomer, catalyst, and water concentration. Molecular weights and polydispersities (gel permeation chromatography) were determined as a function of conversion. The results were broadly consistent with a chain reaction but with unusual features: e.g., R(p) increased as the catalyst concentration decreased, and the molecular weight was independent of the catalyst concentration. A reaction scheme involving self-deactivation by the catalyst satisfactorily explained the results.