POLYMERIZATION OF 2-ALLYLNORBORNANE USING ZIEGLER-NATTA CATALYSTS - HOMOPOLYMERIZATION

Polymerization of 2-allylnorbornane using TICl4 catalyst results in a polymer which is 40% insoluble in o-xylene at 130 degrees C, whereas w ith TiCl3 catalyst, a polymer with 88% insolubility in o-xylene at 130 degrees C is obtained. The o-xylene-insoluble fractions gave a very h igh melting point T-m = 355 degrees C. The main features of these poly merizations are low catalyst activity and, in the case of TICl4 cataly st, competitive isomerization of the monomer. Based on a comparison wi th the properties of an acyclic analogue, poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), th e partly insoluble nature of poly(2-allylnorbornane) and its high melt ing point can be attributed to the presence of the bicyclic pendant.