Organometallic polymers. XXIX. Synthesis and characterization of ferrocene-containing siloxane polymers from bis(dimethylamino)silane–disilanol condensation

A new monomer, 1,1′-bis(dimethylaminodimethylsilyl)ferrocene, was synthesized by two routes and polymerized with three aryl disilanols: dihydroxydiphenylsilane, 1,4-bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)benzene, and 4,4′-bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)biphenyl, yielding three different polysiloxanes. Melt polymerizations carried out at 1 torr pressure and 100°C resulted in the highest molecular weight polymers. Intramolecular cyclization competed with intermolecular chain extension in polymerization of the bis(aminosilane) with dihydroxydiphenylsilane, resulting in isolation of a bridged derivative, 1,3,5-trisila-2,4-dioxa-1,1,5,5-tetramethyl-3,3-diphenyl[5]ferrocenophane. Cyclization did not compete significantly during the formation of polymers from this bisaminosilane and the two remaining diols, as evidenced by higher yields and greater molecular weights. These polymers could be cast as tough flexible films, and fibers could be drawn from their melts. TGA and DSC data showed the polymer formed from 1,1′-bis(dimethylaminodimethylsilyl)ferrocene and 1,4-bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)benzene to be at least as thermally stable as an arylene siloxane polymer which differed from the ferrocenylsiloxane structure only in the replacement of the ferrocene moiety with a p-substituted phenylene linkage. The ferrocene-containing polymers were generally hydrolytically stable under conditions of refluxing THF–H₂O(10 : 1) for 1 hr. The polymer-forming reaction was found to follow second-order kinetics, and the specific rate constants for formation of two of the polymers were measured.     

Organometallic polymers. XV. Synthesis and characterization of some ferrocene-containing oxysilane polymers from bis(dimethylamino)silanes

Three bis(dimethylamino)silane monomers have been polymerized with 1,1'-bis-(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene to give ferrocene-containing polyoxysilanes I and II. They were bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane (III), bis(dimethylamino)diphenylsilane (IV), and 1,4-bis(N,N-dimethylaminodimethylsilyl)benzene (V). Mixing of the diol and III or IV at O°C followed by heating resulted in polymerization to higher molecular weights than when the monomers were initially mixed at higher temperatures. At higher temperatures the formation of monomeric cyclic products seriously competed with polymerization, and the five atom bridged derivative, 3-sila-2,4-dioxa-3,3diphenyl[5]ferrocenophane (VI) was isolated in good yield. The use of silane V, where cyclization is not expected to compete, led to higher polymer yields and molecular weights. The polymers were low melting and I (R = C₆H₅) could be cast into films and weak fibers were drawn from its melt. The polymers were sensitive to hydrolytic decomposition; those containing Si-CH₃ linkages were completely hydrolyzed in refluxing THF-H₂O (10:1) in 1 hr. The polymers were characterized by viscosity studies, gel-permeation chromatography, and infrared and NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of processable heat resistant co-poly(ester-amide)s containing cyclopentylidene moiety

New cyclopentylidene ring-containing diamino-diesters, 1,1-bis(3-aminobenzoyloxy phenyl) cyclopentane, was prepared through reaction of cyclopentanone with two moles of phenol to yield 1,1-bis (4-hydroxy phenyl) cyclopentane (BHPP) (I), the resulting diol (I) on reaction with 3-nitrobenzoyl chloride in N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) and triethyl amine yield 1,1-bis(3-nitrobenzoyloxy phenyl) cyclopentane (II) which on finally reduced by catalytic hydrogenation in presence of 10% Pd/C in DMAc and stirred at room temperature under a 4 kg/cm² hydrogen pressure yields 1,1-bis(3-aminobenzoyloxy phenyl) cyclopentane (III) (m-BABPP). The structure of novel m-diester-diamine was confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR. A series of new m-poly (ester-amide)s and co-poly(ester-amide)s were synthesized by using the solution polycondensation method of novel diamine (III) with IPC and TPC in various mole proportion. These novel polymers were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, solubility, inherent viscosity and thermal analysis and XRD studies. Inherent viscosities of these polymers were in the range 0.30 to 0.46 dL/g indicating moderate molecular weight built-up. These polymers exhibited excellent solubility in various polar aprotic solvents such as NMP, Pyridine. These polymers were partially soluble in DMSO, DMAc, DMF etc.

X-Ray diffraction pattern of polymers showed that introduction of cardo moiety containing ester linkage would disturb the chain regularity and packing, leading to amorphous nature. Thermal analysis by TGA showed excellent thermal stability of polymers. The structure -property correlation among these poly(ester-amide)s were studied, in view of these polymer's potential applications as processable high temperature resistance materials.     

Crosslinking polyferrocenylenes by polymethylol compounds

Polyferrocenylenes with mean molecular weights of 500–4 000 have been converted into thermosetting polymers by reaction with xylylene glycol and telomers thereof. The prepolymers have been used successfully as molding materials and laminating resins. Glass fiber-reinforced laminates have been made with flexural strengths of 63 × 10³ psi and flexural moduli of 4–5 × 10⁶ psi. Ferrocene–xylylene glycol copolymers were also prepared, and 1,1′-bis(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene was used as a polyferrocenylene crosslinking agent. Laminates were also made from the 1,1′-bis(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene-based polymers.     

Synthesis and Rh(I)‐catalyzed polymerization of 1,3‐diphenylyne–calix[4]arene compounds: Novel conjugated,calixarene‐based polymers

The synthesis of two 1,3‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)calix[4]arenes, 5,11,17,23‐tetrakis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene ( 1 ) and 25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene ( 2 ), was accomplished through Sonogashira coupling of appropriate calixarene derivatives. Methods for the polymerization of these bifunctional building blocks with Rh(I) as a catalyst, leading ultimately to conjugated polymers having calix[4]arene units incorporated into the main chain, were explored. Calixarenes 1 and 2 were efficiently polymerized with rhodium‐based initiators and afforded the conjugated polymers poly{5,11,17,23‐tetrakis(1,1‐dimethylethyl)‐25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene} ( poly 1 ) and poly{25,27‐bis(4‐ethynylbenzyloxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene}. Depending on the conditions, high conversions and good yields were obtained. The effects of adding cocatalysts (NHEt₂ and/or PPh₃) were studied in connection with the number‐average molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution of the resultant polymer ( poly 1 ) and tentatively correlated with the formation of low‐molecular‐weight materials. A catalytic system containing triphenylphosphine as the sole additive ([Rh(nbd)Cl]₂; [Rh]/[PPh₃] = 0.5) proved to be the best for the polymerization of p‐tert‐butylcalixarene compound 1 . Linear polymers having high number‐average molecular weights (up to 1.1 × 10⁵ g mol^?1) with low polydispersities were produced under these conditions. For debutylated homologue 2 , its polymerization was best carried out in the absence of any added cocatalyst. A cyclopolymerization route, comprising the intramolecular ring closing of the calix[4]arene pendant ethynyl groups followed by an intermolecular propagation step, is advanced to explain the results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 7054–7070, 2006     

Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction. II. On the polymerizability of 4,4′-bis(phenoxy)diphenyl sulfones and of 4,4′-bis(phenythiol)diphenyl sulfone

4,4′-Bis(phenoxy)diphenyl sulfone ( 1 ), 4,4′-bis(phenylthio)diphenyl sulfone ( 2 ), and 1 substituted with various electron-donating groups in the phenoxy units were synthesized and polymerized under oxidative reaction conditions. The presence of methyl, tert-butyl, and methoxy groups as substituents on the phenoxy groups of 1 increases both the yield and the solubility of the resulting polymers. The structure-reactivity relationship of the monomers and of the growing species were discussed based on a radical-cation mechanism of polymerization. Monomers of high nucleophilicity and resonance stabilized radical-cation growing species are crucial to achieve polymers of high molecular weight. The structure of the polymers and in several cases of their chain ends were determined by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The mechanism of termination and the side reactions occuring during this polymerization process were discussed based on the structure of the resulting polymers.     

Synthesis of high molecular weight poly(ether ketone)s by polycondensation of activated bis(aryl chloride)s with bisphenolates

The ability to achieve high molecular weight poly(ether ketone)s from the polycondensation of bis(aryl chloride)s with bis(phenolate)s has been consistently demonstrated. The polymerizations presented here help to delineate for specific bis(aryl chloride)/bisphenolate pairs the reaction conditions required to obtain high molecular weight polymers. Polycondensation of 1,3-bis(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-tert-butylbenzene ( 6 ) and 2,2′-bis(4-chlorobenzoyl)-biphenyl ( 15 ) with various bisphenolates as well as of 2,2′-bis(4-hydroxyphenoxy)biphenyl ( 33 ) with 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone ( 41 ) and 1,3-bis(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzene ( 43 ) were used as representative model systems to select reaction conditions that led to high molecular weight polymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction. VII. Oxidative polymerization of 2,2-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy)phenyl]propane and 2,2-bis [4-(1-naphthyl)phenyl]propane

The synthesis and the mechanism of oxidative polymerization of 2,2-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy)phenyl]propane ( 4 ) and 2,2-bis[4-(1-naphthyl)phenyl]propane ( 9 ) are presented. Both monomers polymerize by two different propagation steps. The first one represents a cation-radical dimerization of the naphthyl groups to dinaphthyl structure. H⁺[FeCl₄]^? generated from the first propagation step initiates a transalkylation reaction which provides structural units containing isopropylidenic groups inserted between phenyl and naphthyl, and between two naphthyl groups, respectively. Since the phenyl groups resulted from the second propagation reaction are unreactive in both the oxidative coupling and the transalkylation steps this polymerization reaction leads to polymers with low molecular weights containing phenyl chain ends.     

The amplified circularly polarized luminescence emission response of chiral 1,1′‐binaphthol‐based polymers via Zn(II)‐coordination fluorescence enhancement

Two kinds of chiral 1,1′‐binaphthol (BINOL)‐based polymer enantiomers were designed and synthesized by the polymerization of 5,5′‐((2,2′‐bis (octyloxy)‐[1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐3,3′‐diyl)bis(ethyne‐2,1‐diyl))bis(2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde) ( M1 ) with alkyl diamine ( M2 ) via nucleophilic addition–elimination reaction. The resulting chiral polymers can exhibit mirror image cotton effects either in the absence or in the presence of Zn²⁺ ion. Almost no fluorescence or circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) emission could be observed for two chiral BINOL‐based polymer enantiomers in the absence of Zn²⁺. Interestingly, the chiral polymers can show strong fluorescence and CPL response signals upon the addition of Zn²⁺, which can be attributed to Zn²⁺‐coordination fluorescence enhancement effect. This work can develop a new strategy on the design of the novel CPL materials via metal‐coordination reaction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1282–1288     

Preparation and properties of dimethyl phosphonomethyl methylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane copolymers

Dimethyl phosphonomethylheptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (II) and 1, 3-bis(dimethyl phosphonomethyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (III) have been prepared by Arbuzov reaction of trimethyl phosphite with bromomethylheptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (I) and 1, 3-bis(bromomethyl)tetramethyldisiloxane, respectively. Dimethyl phosphonomethylmethylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane copolymers have been prepared by acid-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of II with hexamethyldisiloxane (MM) as an end-capping reagent and by reaction of II with III as an end-capping reagent. Dimethylsiloxane polymers with dimethyl phosphonomethyldimethylsiloxy end groups have been prepared by acid-catalyzed polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) and III. Under these conditions hydrolysis of the dimethyl phosphonate ester groups was a problem. On the other hand Arbuzov reaction of trimethyl phosphite with bromomethylmethylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane copolymer gave a dimethyl phosphonomethylmethylsiloxane dimethylsiloxane copolymer with uniform properties. These polymers have been characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C-, ²⁹Si-, and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. Their molecular weight distributions have been determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and their thermal stability measured by TGA.     

A novel synthesis of reactive polymers with pendant halomethyl groups by the polyaddition reaction of bis(epoxide)s with bis(chloroacetoxy)esters or bis(bromoacetoxy)esters

New reactive polymers with pendant halomethyl groups were successfully synthesized by polyaddition reactions of bis(epoxide)s with bis(chloroacetoxy)ester such as 1,4-bis [(chloroacetoxy)methyl]benzene (BCAMB) or 1,4-bis[(bromoacetoxy)methyl]benzene (BBAMB) using quaternary onium salts or crown ether complexes as catalysts. The polyaddition reaction of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) with BCAMB proceeded very smoothly with high yields (83–96%) by the addition of quaternary onium salts such as tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) or crown ether complexes such as 18-crown-6/KBr as catalysts to produce high molecular weight polymers, although the reaction occurred without any catalyst to give low molecular weight polymer in low yield at 90°C for 48 h. It was also found that the reaction proceeded smoothly in aprotic polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) to produce high molecular weight polymers. Polyaddition reactions of DGEBA or digylcidyl ether of ethylene glycol (DGEEG) with BBAMB, other bis(chloroacetoxy)esters or bis(bromoacetoxy)esters using TBPB in DMAc also proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding polymers. The resulting poly(ether-ester)s contain reactive halomethyl groups as side chains, which were introduced during main chain formation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3791–3799, 1997     

Poly(Azomethine Sulfones). I. Synthesis and Characterization of New Poly(Azomethine Sulfones) Containing Ortho/Para Aromatic Moieties

Abstract

New poly(azomethine sulfones) with linear structures containing methylene bis(2-oxobenzylidene aniline), methylene bis(4-oxobenzylidene aniline), 1,4-bis(4-oxobenzylidene amino)phenylene and 1,4-bis(2-oxobenzylidene amino)phenylene units were prepared in the conventional literature manner by the reaction of azomethine bisphenols (M 1–4) with 4,4′-sulfonyl bischlorobenzene. The resulting polymers were confirmed by IR, ¹H-NMR and elemental analysis, and were characterized by UV measurements, viscosities, solubilities, DSC and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) in air. A difference in the solubility and thermal behavior between the polymers with ortho- and para- chains was observed. The hydrolitic stability of the polymers in 10% wt aqueous sulfuric acid was reasonable     

Effect of the alkylaluminum cocatalyst on ethylene polymerization by a nickel–diimine complex

Different chlorine-free alkylaluminum compounds were active cocatalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine-dichloronickel (II) (1). The combination of 1 with trimethylaluminum or triisobutylaluminum produced catalytically active species that polymerized ethylene with productivities up to 469 kg_polymer/(mol_Ni · h). The activity of the catalytic system and the properties of the polymeric materials were influenced strongly by the reaction temperature. The polymers had a high molecular weight (up to 642 × 10³ g · mol⁻¹), and the molecular weight increased with the reaction time. The polyethylenes were branched, and the branching could be modulated by the proper choice of reaction parameters. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4656–4663, 1999     

Bis(ethyl-3-Oxo-Butanolato-O1,O3) -bis(2-propanolato)titanium (tyzor) DCR) as a reactant and catalyst in the polymerization of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM)

The reaction of bis(ethyl-3-oxo-butanolato-O¹,O³)-bis(2-propanolato)titanium(Tyzor DC^R and 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) in refluxing hexane produced a mixture of trimer and polymers of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate which varied considerably from 23 to 92% polymer as the molar ratio of bis(ethyl-3-oxo-butanolato-O¹,O³)-bis(2-propanolato)titanium(Tyzor DC^R) to 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) varied from 1:4 to 1:32. The IEM 1-nylon polymer which was soluble in cresol and phenol was characterized by FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR. This analysis also showed that the methacrylate carbon–carbon double bond survived our reaction conditions intact. Based on atomic absorption determination of titanium, the molecular weight of the polymer ranged between 3000 and 4000 g/mol. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed the polymer to be stable in air to approximately 250°C.     

1-Ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-propan-1,3-dion und Ferrocen-1,1'bis(2,4-dioxobutansäureethylester) als Liganden für Übergangsmetallionen. Kristallstruktur von Bis(1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-propan-1,3dionato)kupfer(II)

1-Ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-propane-1,3-dion and Ferrocene-1,1′bis(2,4-dioxobutanoic acid ethylester) as Ligands for Transition Metal Ions. Crystal Structure of Bis(1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-propane-1,3dionato)copper(II) The ligands 1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-propane-1,3-dion and ferrocene-1,1′-bis(2,4-dioxo-butanoic acid ethylester) have been prepared by reaction of acetylferrocene or 1,1′-diacetylferrocene and diethyl oxalate. They yield neutral chelates with Cu^II, Ni^II, Zn^II, Co^II, and Mn^II. The acid dissociation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of their metal complexes including Fe^II complexes are reported. The structure of bis(1-ethoxycarbonyl-3-ferrocenyl-propane-1,3-dionato)copper(II) was determined by X-ray structure analysis. A cis arrangement with a nearly square planar coordination sphere at the Cu atom is found.     

The cationic polymerization and copolymerization of isopropenylmetallocene monomers

Three types of isopropenylmetallocene monomers were synthesized and subjected to polymerization and copolymerization by cationic initiators; (1) isopropenylferrocene (IF); (2) (η⁵-isopropenylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylnitrosylmolybdenum (IDM); and (3) 1,1′-diisopropenylcyclopentadienylstannocene (DIS), and related derivatives of each. IF was synthesized by a three-step procedure involving the acetylation of ferrocene, conversion of the latter to 2-ferrocenyl-2-propanol, and dehydration of the carbinol. IF was homopolymerized under various cationic initiation conditions, but only low molecular weight homopolymers were obtained. Copolymerization of IF with styrene and with p-methoxy-α-methylstyrene also gave only low molecular weight products. The formation of only low molecular weight polymers in all polymerization reactions is believed to result from the effect of the unusually high stability of ferrocenyl carbenium ions on its propagation reaction. The observed polymerization behavior of α-trifluoromethylvinylferrocene is in accord with this conclusion. IDM and DIS did not form polymeric products under cationic conditions, although copolymers could be obtained for each of these monomers and styrene with a free radical polymerization initiator (AIBN).     

Polymerization behavior and gel properties of ethane,ethylene and acetylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes

Soluble bridged polysilsesquioxanes with a range of molecular weight were synthesized from bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, ethylene, and acetylene (BTES-E1, -E2, and -E3) via hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction by adjusting the water amount. Polymerization behavior of these three trialkoxysilanes was investigated by monitoring the reaction progress by GPC, and ²⁹Si NMR spectrometry of the resulting polymers, poly(BTES-E1), poly(BTES-E2), and poly(BTES-E3), showing that BTES-E1 generated cyclic oligomers at the early stage. In contrast, polymerization of BTES-E2 and BTES-E3 provided no detectable amounts of cyclic oligomers, but afforded linear polymers only. Bulk gels were also prepared by curing the polymers. The gel from poly(BTES-E3) exhibited high thermal stability derived from the rigid acetylene spacer with respect to thermogravimetric analysis. On the other hand, the polymer film of BTES-E1 showed the highest pencil hardness index among the polymers, indicating the tight siloxane network of poly(BTES-E1).     

Synthesis of heteroarm star polymers comprising poly(4-methylphenyl vinyl sulfoxide) segment by living anionic polymerization

<正>A series of 3-arm ABC and AA'B and 4-arm ABCD,AA'BC and AA′A″B heteroarm star polymers comprising one poly(4-methylphenyl vinyl sulfoxide) segment and other segments such as polystyrene,poly(α-methylstyrene), poly(4-methoxystyrene) and poly(4-trimethylsilylstyrene) were synthesized by living anionic polymerization based on diphenylethylene(DPE) chemistry.The DPE-functionalized polymers were synthesized by iterative methodology,and the objective star polymers were prepared by two distinct methodologies based on anionic polymerization using DPE-functionalized polymers.The first methodology involves an addition reaction of living anionic polymer with excess DPE-functionalized polymer and a subsequent living anionic polymerization of 4-methylphenyl vinyl sulfoxide(MePVSO) initiated from the in situ formed polymer anion with two or three polymer segments.The second methodology comprises an addition reaction of DPE-functionalized polymer with excess sec-BuLi and a following anionic polymerization of MePVSO initiated from the in situ formed polymer anion and 3-methyl-1,1-diphenylpentyl anion as well.Both approaches could afford the target heteroarm star polymers with predetermined molecular weight,narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n1.03) and desired composition,evidenced by SEC,~1H-NMR and SLS analyses.These polymers can be used as model polymers to investigate structure-property relationships in heteroarm star polymers.     

Studies on photocrosslinkable-cum-flame retardant poly(benzylidene phosphoramide ester)s

Four series of photocrosslinkable-cum-flame retardant poly(benzylidene phosphoramide ester)s were synthesized from bis(4-hydroxy-3-methyoxybenzylidene) acetone, 2,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)cyclopentanone, 2,6-bis(4-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone and 2,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) cycloheptanone with various arylphosphorodichloridates by interfacial polycondensation using a phase transfer catalyst. The resultant polymers were characterized by gpc, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. Thermal behavior of the polymers was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. Flame retardant properties were ascertained by Limiting Oxygen Index. The photocrosslinking ability of the polymers was studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy. The crosslinking proceeds via 2π + 2π cycloaddition reaction of the benzylidene groups. The rate of crosslinking decreases with increase in the size of cycloalkanone ring, while the thermal stability increases with increase in the size of the alkanone ring. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3285–3291, 1999     

Effect of substituents on addition polymerization of norbornene derivatives with two Me3Si-groups using Ni(II)/MAO catalyst

Addition polymerization and copolymerization of bis(Me₃Si)-substituted norbornene-type monomers such as 5,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)norbornene-2, 2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)norbornadiene-2,5 and 3,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)tricyclo[4.2.1.0^2,5]nonene-7, in the presence of Ni(II) naphtenate/MAO catalyst were studied. Disubstituted norbornene and norbornadiene were found to be practically inactive in homopolymerization. On the other hand, their copolymerization with norbornene proceeded with moderate yields of copolymers containing predominantly norbornene units. Under studied reaction conditions 2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)norbornadiene-2,5 was transformed into the only exo-trans-exo-dimer as a result of the [2+2]-cyclodimerization reaction. Moving Me₃Si-substituents one carbon atom away from norbornene double bond made 3,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)tricyclo[4.2.1.0^2,5]nonene-7 active in homopolymerization and allowed to obtain addition homo-polymer with two Me₃Si-substituents in each elementary unit. The reaction mechanism and steric effect of Me₃Si-substituents are also discussed.