Synthesis of α- and ω-norbornenyl-polybutadiene macromonomers and their ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Abstract

Norbornene-ended polybutadiene (PBu) macromonomers have been prepared via two different routes: α-norbornenyl-polybutadiene was derived from a norbornene-containing carbanionic initiator, whereas ω-norbornenyl samples were obtained through deactivation of living polybutadienyl anions by a norbornene-based deactivator. Out of four alkylidene complexes tried, the molybdenum alkylidene complex that contains two alkoxide ligands was found to be the most suitable initiator for the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of these macromonomers.