Soluble Poly(<i>p‐</i>phenylenevinylene)s through Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Abstract

Ring opening of substituted cyclophanedienes by ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts gives soluble phenylenevinylene homopolymers of well-defined molecular weight with an alternating cis-trans microstructure (see picture, R=OC8H17). The living character of this polymerization is demonstrated by controlled chain extension.