RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION (ROMP)

Properties and applications of newly developed homogeneous Ring-Openin g Metathesis Polymerization catalysts as well as Photo-induced Ring-Op ening Metathesis Polymerization catalysts are discussed. In contrast t o well-defined, one-component metal-carbene catalysts, the aqueous ROM P with simple Ru-II salts is a chain reaction and not a living polymer ization. One-component Photo-ROMP initiators were developed with good thermal latency and are either based on early-transition-metal alkyl c omplexes or on [Ru(arene)(2)](2+) complexes. Mechanistic aspects of th e photochemically induced solvation of Ru-II complexes are presented.