Polymerization of norbornene and 1,5-hexadiene by [Cp∗TiMe2][MeB(C6F5)3]

Abstract Reaction of Cp ∗ TiMe 3 with B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 results in methyl abstraction and formation of the compound [Cp ∗ TiMe 2 ][MeB(C 6 F 5 ) 3 ]. The thus formed 10-electron, cationic species [Cp ∗ TiMe 2 ] + is an excellent initiator for polymerization of norbornene via Ziegler and ring opening methasis processes and of 1,5-hexadiene via cyclopolymerization and Ziegler processes.