Development and Application of Highly Efficient Ruthenium-Based Catalysts for the Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Various bisallylic ruthenium(IV) complexes were synthesized and tested as catalysts for the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene. In presence of cocatalysts such as silanes or certain diazoalkanes a significant increase of the catalytic activity could be observed. With these highly efficient systems the ROMP of diolefinic norbornene derivatives (dicyclopentadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, norbornadiene) and monomers containing functional groups was achieved (e.g. alcohols, acids, esters, amides, imides, ketones, aldehydes, ...).