RUTHENIUM-CATALYZED CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF UNSATURATED POLYMERS

Chemical modification of unsaturated polysiloxanes with pendant or ter minal vinyl groups and polycarbosilanes with pendant Si-vinyl groups h as been achieved by a novel ruthenium catalyzed reaction. ihydridocarb onyltris(triphenylphosphine)-ruthenium catalyzes the addition of the o rtho C-H bond of 2'-methylacetophenone across the C-C double bond of p endant or terminal vinyl groups of polymers such as copoly(dimethylsil oxane/vinylmethylsiloxane), polydimethylsiloxane which is terminated w ith vinyldimethylsiloxy groups and copoly(vinylmethylsilylene/1,4-phen ylene).