Synthesis of Alternating trans-AB Copolymers through Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Initiated by Molybdenum Alkylidenes

Four alternating AB copolymers have been prepared through ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with Mo(NR)(CHCMe2Ph)[OCMe(CF3)2]2 initiators (R = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (1) or 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (2)). The A:B monomer pairs copolymerized by 1 are cyclooctene (A):2,3-dicarbomethoxy-7-isopropylidenenorbornadiene (B), cycloheptene (A′):dimethylspiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene-2,3-dicarboxylate-7,1′-cyclopropane] (B′), A:B′, and A′:B; A′:B′ and A:B′ are also copolymerized by 2. The >90% poly(A-alt-B) copolymers are formed with heterodyads (AB) that have the trans configuration. Evidence suggests that one trans hetero C═C bond is formed when A (A or A′) reacts with the syn form of the alkylidene made from B (syn-MB = syn-MB or syn-MB′) to give anti-MA, while the other trans C═C bond is formed when B reacts with anti-MA to give syn-MB. Cis and trans AA dyads are proposed to arise when A reacts with anti-MA in competition with B reacting with anti-MA.