Gas phase polymerization of cyclopentene

Pure gaseous cyclopentene is found to polymerize on a glass surface when the polymerization is initiated with tungsten hexachloride. The polymer thus formed is colourless and has a high molar mass with a narrow molecular mass distribution. Polymerizations are carried out in the 10 to 60° C temperature range. From kinetic measurements, an overall activation energy of 69,0 kJ is obtained for the conversion of gaseous monomer to condensed polymer. NMR analyses show a distribution of cis-and trans-configurations of the double bonds in the polymer and the absence of any detectable branching.