ACYCLIC DIENE METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION - THE SYNTHESIS OF UNSATURATED POLYKETONES

The first acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of unsaturat ed ketone containing monomers using the molybdenum catalyst, Mo(CHCMe2 Ph)(N-2,6-C6H3-i-Pr2)[OCCH3(CF3)2]2 is reported. 6,6,8,8-Tetramethyl-1 ,12-tridecadiene-7-one undergoes homopolymerization; copolymerizations are carried out with 1,9-decadiene and 2,12-dimethyl-2,12-dipentenylc yclododecan-1-one, 2,12-diallylcyclododecan-1-one, and trans-2,12-dial lyl-2,12-dimethylcyclododecan-1-one These polymerizations are initiate d under bulk conditions and are continued in solution. No evidence of Wittig chemistry is observed between the carbonyl functional group and the catalyst when a high degree of steric hindrance exists around the carbonyl moiety. Polymer structures were characterized by IR, H-1 NMR , and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. Molecular weights were determined by endg roup analysis and gel permeation chromatography.