New catalysts for linear polydicyclopentadiene synthesis

The ring-opening polymerization of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) may occur in tw o ways: in the first way the reaction occurs by opening of the norbornene r ing, in the second one both rings, norbornene and cyclopentene are involved , The polymerization of DCPD via opening of norbornene moiety implies the u tilization of very selective catalytic systems. In our work, several new ca talytic systems for synthesis of linear polydicyclopentadiene, derived from WCl6 and WOCl4 and organosilicon compounds have been employed. The microst ructure of the linear polydicyclopentadiene (prepared from endo-DCPD) was e valuated from IR, and C-13-NMR spectroscopy, showing that the polymer has p revailingly "cis" double bond configuration. The thermal behavior has been followed by differential scanning calorimetry. The linear polydicyclopentad iene obtained under these conditions has a glass-transition temperature of 53 degrees C. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.