Electro-induced early transition metal metathesis catalyst systems for the production of polyacetylene

Abstract

The use of electro-induced Mo and W-based catalysts has been investigated in the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of 1,3,5,7- cyclooctatetraene (COT). The soluble and conjugated polyacetylene (PA) was obtained under ambient temperature and pressure without employing any secondary reagent (comonomer, chain transfer agent) or substituted monomer (R-COT). NMR analysis results show that the electrochemical Mo-based system leads to a completely (100%) trans product, however, mainly (80%) trans polymer was obtained with W-based analogue for PA. ©2009 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.