Bulk coordination polymerization of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) by Pd complexes containing β-ketoiminate or β-diketiminate ligands

Abstract

Several palladium complexes containing β-ketoiminate and β-diketiminate ligands successfully produced poly(DCPD) possibly via vinyl addition. It was found that catalysts with β-diketiminate ligands containing bulkier aryl substituents showed the highest activity in the presence of MAO as a cocatalyst. Purity of DCPD is quite essential for the higher activity and small amount of organic solvent such as CH2Cl 2 and toluene is required to reduce the viscosity of the reactant mixture for the higher activity. 1H NMR spectra of produced polymers with N,N-dimethylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (N,N- DAPFAr"4) show that 5,6-double bond of DCPD is removed with 2,3-double bond remaining. Produced poly(DCPD) with MAO cocatalyst is quite rigid and insoluble in common organic solvents but rather brittle.