Synthesis and addition polymerization of vinylbenzyl transition metal compounds

Summary The synthesis of three vinylbenzyl complexes (n⁵-C₅H₅)-M(CO)_n(CH₂C₆H₄CH=CH₂), [1), M=Mo, n=3; (2), M=W, n=3; (3), M=Fe, n=2] is reported. Complexes (1) and (2) have been copolymerized with monomers, such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, andN-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, in benzene using azoisobutyronitrile as initiator. The rates of incorporation of (2) into copolymers with styrene and methyl methacrylate were the same as the rate of incorporation of the organic monomer. The homopolymerization of (2) was also carried out. Polymerizations occurred satisfactorily except for the copolymerization of (1) with styrene, where little incorporation of the organometallic monomer occurred.