Synthesis of New Polymer Ionomers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Abstract

The N-pentafluorophenyl-exo-endo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (2a) and N-phenyl-exo-endo-norbornene- 5,6-dicarboximide (2b) monomers were synthesized and polymerized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using bis(tricyclohexylphosphine) benzylidene ruthenium(IV) dichloride (I) and tricyclohexylphosphine [1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2- ylidene][benzylidene] ruthenium dichloride (II). Both catalysts were used to synthesize random and block high molecular weight copolymers which were further hydrogenated using a Wilkinson’s catalyst. Then, the saturated copolymers were modified by reacting with sodium 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate dihydrate to generate new ionomers with fluoro-sulfonic acid pendant groups.