Alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and cyclopentene

Abstract

Almost alternating copolymers of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and cyclopentene have been formed by ring-opening metathesis polymerization using a RuCl3–phenol catalyst system; this highly novel result is attributed to differential steric influences exerted by a hydrogen-bonded solvent cage which encloses the catalyst site.