Fullerene containing norbornenes: synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization

New norbornenes with the covalently bonded fullerene C60 have been prepared as monomers for ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Under the Grubbs catalyst these monomers smoothly enter homopolymerization as well as co-polymerization reactions with the parent 'non-fullerene' monomers. Homopolymers are insoluble in organic solvents whereas co-polymers obtained by 1:1 co-polymerization of the norbornenes with their 'non-fullerene' analogues are well soluble.