Ruthenium-catalyzed ring-opening and ring-closing enyne metathesis

[reaction: see text]. When a CH2Cl2 solution of an enyne containing the cycloalkene moiety was stirred in the presence of ruthenium-carbene complex (10 mol %) at room temperature under ethylene gas (1 atm), ring-opening and ring-closing metathesis occurred to afford cyclized triene. The reaction was carried out under argon gas, and no cyclized product was obtained. Enynes with a terminal alkyne gave good results.     

Cis-selective ring-opening metathesis polymerization with ruthenium catalysts

Cis-selective ring-opening metathesis polymerization of several monocyclic alkenes as well as norbornene and oxanorbornene-type monomers using a C-H activated, ruthenium-based metathesis catalyst is reported. The cis content of the isolated polymers depended heavily on the monomer structure and temperature. A cis content as high as 96% could be obtained by lowering the temperature of the polymerization.     

Acidic polysaccharide mimics via ring-opening metathesis polymerization

An efficient and general synthetic strategy for the preparation of high-molecular-weight hydrophilic polymers bearing both carboxylic acid and hydroxyl pendant groups is described. Specifically, poly(5,6-dihydroxyoxanorbornane carboxylic acid) with molecular weight ranging from ～100?000 to 5?000?000 g/mol was prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization of methyl 5-oxanorbornene-2-carboxylate in the presence of Grubbs catalyst II and subsequently modified to tune the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties by the introduction of either hydroxyl or carboxylic acid functionalities. These polymers mimic the natural acidic polysaccharide alginate and form hydrogels with polylysine. These polymers belong to a class of carbohydrate-like polymers, which are of interest for investigating the relationships between chemical structure and rheological properties as well as for providing new synthetic polysaccharide substitutes for applications in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.     

In situ catalyst systems for ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Several new in situ tungsten catalyst systems for ring-opening metathesis polymerizations (ROMP) by reaction injection molding (RIM) have been developed by adding BF₃ promoter to binary catalyst systems, by using metal hydride cocatalysts, and by altering the ligands on the procatalyst metal center. BF₃ etherates improved catalyst efficiency and reduced induction times for formation of active catalysts from reaction of aryloxytungsten complexes [e.g., (ArO)_y(WX_x)] with organotin hydrides. Coordinatively unsaturated cationic intermediates, such as [(ArO)_yWX_x-1]⁺ BF₃X⁻, are proposed to facilitate formation of the active catalysts. Tougher poly(dicyclopentadiene) (polyDCPD) composites were produced using < 5 wt % of styrene-butadiene block copolymers due to formation of small “shell-core” rubber morphologies when BF₃ promoter was added to the catalyst system. Nonalkylating metal hydrides besides R₃SnH, including (PPh₃)₂CuBH₄, (PPh₃CuH)₆, and Cp₂ZrClH, were shown to be cocatalysts. The optimum 2 : 1 stoichiometric ratio of organotin hydride cocatalyst to tungsten, revealed by BF₃-promoted catalyst systems, and W^V EPR resonances (g ∼ 1.7) observed in the reaction of aryloxytungsten with organotin hydride are consistent with an overall reduction and reoxidation mechanism for formation of the active metathesis catalysts. Some tungsten complexes derived from 9-hydroxyfluorene, 2,2′-(and 4,4′)-biphenols, and 1,4-hydroquinones were found to be very reactive procatalysts, even in the absence of cocatalyst in some cases. These procatalysts also were paramagnetic, characterized by unusual EPR spectra consistent with W^V (g = 1.6–1.9) and “ligand-centered” (g = 2.003) resonances. Valence tautomeric species, analogous to catecholate-semiquinonate complexes, are proposed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 3027–3047, 1997     

pH-Sensitive brush polymer-drug conjugates by ring-opening metathesis copolymerization

Representing a new category of polymer-drug conjugates, brush polymer-drug conjugates were prepared by ring-opening metathesis copolymerization. Following judicious structural design, these conjugates exhibited well-shielded drug moieties, significant water solubility, well-defined nanostructures, and acid-triggered drug release.     

Enantioselective molecularly imprinted polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation

Enantioselective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesised via ROMP for the first time.     

High-density doxorubicin-conjugated polymeric nanoparticles via ring-opening metathesis polymerization

High-density doxorubicin-conjugated polymeric nanoparticles are prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization and sustained release of nearly 50% of the anticancer agent is observed after 24 h in mildly acidic aqueous solution.     

Living ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornenes bay-functionalized perylene diimides

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)-derived poly(oxanorbornene imide)s bearing bay-linked mono - alkoxy -M1 and 1,7-di-alkoxy M2 functionalized perylene diimides (PDIs) were synthesized using Grubb's third ( G3 ) and Hoveyda-Grubbs second generation ( HG2 ) ruthenium-alkylidene metathesis initiators. The mono-alkoxy-derived PDI-based non-ladderphane polymer poly M1 displayed 67% to 77% of the trans olefin content in the polymer chain depending on the initiator used for the polymerization. When using the symmetrical 1,7-di-alkoxy-derived PDI-based polymer poly M2 having the ladderphane type-structure, this displayed a significant amount of cis and trans olefin contents in the polymer chains, irrespective of the type of initiators used for the polymerization. ROMP of both monomers M1 and M2 proceeded in a well-controlled manner with a linear dependence of molecular weight on the monomer/initiator ratio using G3 as initiator. Optical properties of the ladderphane-based poly M2 and non-ladderphane-based poly M1 were characterized in both solution and the film state. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for all the polymers showed significant π-stacking in the thin film state with ordered molecular packing and closer values of d-spacing for both poly M1 and poly M2 . Film morphology examined by AFM elucidated homogenous smooth polymer surface for both polymers in general, but with some irregularities observed for poly M1 . In addition, CV analysis revealed both polymers could be good candidates as electron-accepting materials, with excellent film-forming ability, and thermal stability.     

Regioselective rhodium-containing catalysts for ring-opening polymerizations and hydrosilylations

Organometallic rhodium complexes are described which are highly efficient initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of expoxides and other heterocyclic compounds. A cocatalyst, consisting of a compound or polymer containing silicon–hydrogen bonds must also be present. These same catalyst–cocatalyst mixtures are also highly active for hydrosilylation reactions. Other complexes bearing phosphine ligands have been discovered, which while active for hydrosilylation, are not catalysts for epoxide polymerizations. Polymer supported rhodium catalysts are also described which permit the synthesis of epoxy-functional silanes in high yields without competing ring-opening polymerization.     

Synthesis of a hyaluronan neoglycopolymer by ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A hyaluronan (HA)-derived disaccharide was synthesized bearing an n-pentenyl spacer arm, which facilitated disaccharide derivatization with a norbornene template. Subsequent ring opening metathesis polymerization of the monomer produced an HA-mimetic neoglycopolymer of low polydispersity.     

Solid-phase synthesis of polymers using the ring-opening metathesis polymerization

We report a general method for the solid-phase synthesis of polymers via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The method involves polymerization in solution to form a block copolymer, immobilization of the polymer via reaction of one block with a resin-bound functional group, modification of the other block, and liberation of the polymer from the resin. We demonstrated the utility of this approach by generating a block copolymer with an N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester-substituted block (for on-resin functionalization) and a maleimide-substituted block (for conjugation to the resin). We showed that the Diels-Alder reaction can be employed to immobilize the polymers and that amines of diverse structure can be used to modify the resin-bound polymers. The reversibility of the furan-maleimide Diels-Alder adduct was exploited to liberate the polymer from the support. Specifically, treatment of the resin with cyclopentadiene resulted in complete polymer release. The resulting polymers are functional: they were as potent in assays with the lectin concanavalin A as polymers generated by traditional solution routes. We anticipate that this method can be used for the rapid synthesis of diverse polymers via ROMP.     

Free radical reactions on soluble supports from ring-opening metathesis

[reaction: see text]. Free radical reactions were performed on soluble ring-opening metathesis (ROM) polymers. These polymers have high substrate loading, short reaction times, and the benefit of a facile purification. All reactions on these supports were obtained in good yields as white crystalline-like materials readily separated from tin byproducts.     

Novel stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation

Stereoselective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesised via ring-opening metathesis polymerisation, in essentially, quantitative yield. A covalent imprinting strategy was followed during the network formation of the chiral sorbent. Recognition of the substrate however involved non-covalent interactions; a combination of hydrogen bonding and the chiral environment presented by the imprinted cavities. The enantiomeric excess achievable with these new MIPs is solvent dependent and stereoselectivities of up to 20% e.e. (separation factor α=2.2) were found in batch equilibrations.     

Fullerene containing norbornenes: synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization

New norbornenes with the covalently bonded fullerene C₆₀ have been prepared as monomers for ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Under the Grubbs catalyst these monomers smoothly enter homopolymerization as well as co-polymerization reactions with the parent ‘non-fullerene’ monomers. Homopolymers are insoluble in organic solvents whereas co-polymers obtained by 1:1 co-polymerization of the norbornenes with their ‘non-fullerene’ analogues are well soluble.     

Regioselective metathesis reactions of various polyunsaturated ketones and alcohols

The reactivity for metathesis reaction of some polyunsaturated cyclopentanols, and of a polyunsaturated ketone bearing vinyl groups or vinyl and propenyl groups has been examined. In the presence of two of these reactants, depending on the ruthenium catalyst employed, either the ring closing metathesis or the cross‐coupling metathesis was observed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chiral beta-cyclodextrin-based polymer supports prepared via ring-opening metathesis graft-polymerization

A series of norborn-2-ene-derivatized beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CDs), 6-O-(norborn-2-ene-5-carboxyl)-beta-CD (1), tetrakis(6-O-norborn-2-ene-5-carboxyl)-beta-CD (2), (3), 6-O-(6-norborn-2-ene-5-car-6-O-(7-oxanorborn-2-ene-5-carboxyl)-beta-CD bonylaminohexoyl)-beta-CD (4), 6-O-(norborn-2-ene-5-ylmethoxymethylsilyl)-beta-CD (5), tris(6-O-norborn-2-ene-5-ylmethoxymethylsilyl)-beta-CD (6), tetrakis(6-O-norborn-2-ene-5-ylmethoxymethylsilyl)-beta-CD (7) and hexakis(6-O-norborn-2-ene-5-ylmethoxymethylsilyl)-beta-CD (8), have been synthesized. Compounds 1-3 were prepared via reaction of beta-CD with norborn-2-ene-5-carboxylic chloride and 7-oxanorborn-2-ene-5-carboxylic chloride, respectively; compounds 5-8 were synthesized from norborn-2-ene-5-yl-methyldichlorosilane and beta-CD, respectively. Compound 4 was accessible by reaction of norbom-2-ene-5-carboxylaminohexoyl chloride with beta-CD. Compounds 1-8 were surface grafted onto norborn-2-ene-derivatized silica-based supports using ring-opening metathesis polymerization employing the ruthenium-based initiator bis(tricyclohexylphosphino)benzylideneruthenium dichloride [Cl2Ru(CHC6H5)(PCy3)2, Cy=cyclohexyl, 9]. Generally speaking, the resulting chiral stationary phases (CSPs) I-VIII may be prepared with high reproducibility and may be used within a pH of 2-10. Thus, relative standard deviations (sigman-1) of the mean resolution (Rs) are <7%. The CSPs were used for the enantioselective separation of beta-blockers, N-dansyl-, N-3,5-dinitrobenzoyl- and Fmoc-protected amino acids and were characterized in terms of chemical stability, selectivity (alpha') and resolution (Rs). Additionally, the role of the spacer as well as influences of capacity and the degree of substitution of the beta-CD moiety on the separation characteristics were determined.     

An efficient approach to surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctadiene

Surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctadiene (COD), a low ring-strain olefin, is reported for the first time. Polymerization was carried out in the vapor phase, which is advantageous compared to conventional solution methods in terms of minimizing chain transfer by reducing polymer chain mobility at the vapor/solid interface. Attachments of a norbornenyl-containing silane and a Grubbs catalyst to silicon substrates were carried out before samples were exposed to COD vapor. The thickness of grafted 1,4-polybutadiene films was controlled by reaction time and reached approximately 40 nm after 7 h. The polymer films were further chemically modified to afford a new polymer, head-to-head poly(vinyl alcohol).     

The influence of cross-linking agents on ring-opening metathesis polymerized thermosets

The addition of suitable cross-linking agents with norbornene-based monomers has significant effects on the thermal properties of the resulting polymers formed by olefin metathesis. Ethylidene norbornene (ENB) and endo-dicyclopentadiene (endo-DCPD) were mixed separately with various loadings of three different cross-linking agents and then polymerized with the addition of Grubbs’ catalyst. The polymerization kinetics and resulting glass transition temperature (T _g) of the systems were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The addition of the first cross-linking agent, norbornadiene (CL-1), to both endo-DCPD and ENB resulted in decreasing glass transition temperatures with increasing concentrations. In contrast, the addition of the other two cross-linking agents (CL-2 and CL-3), which were both custom synthesized bifunctional norbornyl systems, to both endo-DCPD and ENB resulted in a monotonic increases in T _g with cross-linker concentration. By tailoring the loading of these custom cross-linking agents, the properties of these polymer systems can be controlled for various applications, including self-healing composites.     

Cure characterization and viscosity development of ring-opening metathesis polymerized resins

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) kinetics of three different norbornene-based monomers, ethylidene norbornene (ENB), endo-dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and exo-DCPD, in the presence of Grubbs’ catalyst are examined using differential scanning calorimetry and rheokinetic viscosity measurements. Several different parameters were considered, such as, the monomer healing agents (including different monomer mixtures), the catalyst concentration, and test temperature to determine how these parameters influence cure development. The polymerization kinetics, quantified by exothermic peak locations in the case of differential scanning calorimetry and rheokinetic transition times in the case of viscosity measurements, are shown to be highly dependent on monomer type and catalyst concentration. The ENB monomer had the fastest kinetics even at the lowest catalyst concentration compared to the other diene monomers and mixtures.