Copolymers from norbornene and norbornadiene with organized morphologies and high Tg values obtained via ROMP with a highly reactive [RuCl3(PCy3)2] complex

• Main Authors: Ferraz, C. P, Fonseca, L. R, Tomazetti, V, Silva, F. C. S, Lima-Neto, B. S, Carvalho, V. P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c6nj02096h

The [RuCl 3 (PCy 3 ) 2 ] complex presented high reactivity toward ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornadiene (NBD) in a non-degassed solution upon addition of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA). Quantitative yields of polyNBD were obtained instantaneously at 25 °C. ROMP of norbornene (NBE) occurred better at 50 °C for 60 min, with 95% of isolated polyNBE. Copolymers with different porous structures were obtained from ROMP of NBE in the presence of NBD with different starting [NBE]/[NBD] molar ratios at 25 °C. SEM micrographs showed a more organized porous structure as the NBD loading decreased. A well-defined honeycomb-like pattern was recorded for the copolymer from the run with an NBE : NBD molar ratio load of 5000 : 500. The T g values varied from 37 °C in polyNBE to 90 °C in poly[NBE- co -NBD] as the NBD loading increased. [RuCl 3 (PCy 3 ) 2 ] presented high reactivity toward ROMP of norbornene and norbornadiene in air, in the presence of ethyl diazoacetate, resulting in copolymers with high T g values and organized morphologies.