Ring-opening metathesis polymerization using polyisobutylene supported Grubbs second-generation catalyst

Olefin metathesis is among the most powerful tools for the formation of regio- and steroselective carbon-carbon double bonds. Applying the principles of Green Chemistry to the syntheses of polymers by developing useful strategies to facilitate catalyst and polymer product separation after a polymerization is vital. In the present study, a phase selectively soluble polymer bound second generation Grubbs catalyst was successfully used to carry out ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) on norbornene and a variety of different exo-norbornene derivatives. Polymers with low ruthenium contamination levels were achieved in comparison to the non-supported Grubbs catalyst which required multiple precipitations. Furthermore, the bound catalyst exhibits similar catalytic activity to its homogenous counterpart.