Various derivatives of norbornene and 7-oxanorbornenedicarboxylic acid have
been synthesized and polymerized via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerizatio
n (ROMP). The introduction of tetrahydropyranyl moieties as protection grou
ps opened a way for the synthesis of polyelectrolytes through well-defined
transition metal alkylidene catalysts that are usually deactivated by react
ions with acidic protons. The incorporation of methacrylate groups in the p
olycarboxylic acids was achieved either by copolymerization of methacrylate
functionalized norbornene or 7-oxanorbornene derivatives, or by the polyme
r analogous reaction of the polycarboxylic acids with glycidyl methacrylate
(GMA). These materials are soluble in water as well as in ethanol and unde
rgo cross-linking reactions initiated by UV light. (C) 2000 John Wiley & So
ns, Inc.