Synthesis and functionalization of poly(ethylene-co-dicyclopentadiene)

Copolymerizations of ethylene with endo-dicyclopentadiene (DCP) were perfor med by using Cp2ZrCl2 (Cp = Cyclopentadienyl), Et(Ind)(2)ZrCl2 (Ind = Inden yl), and Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2 (Flu = Fluorenyl) combined with MAO as cocataly st. Among these three metallocenes, Et(Ind)(2)ZrCl2 showed the highest cata lyst performance for the copolymerization. From H-1-NMR analysis, it was fo und that DCP was copolymerized through enchainment of norbornene rings. The copolymer was then epoxidated by reacting with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. C- 13-NMR spectrum of the resulting copolymer indicated the quantitative conve rsion of olefinic to epoxy groups. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.