ROMP crosslinkers for the preparation of aliphatic aerogels

Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using Grubbs second generation catalyst generates aliphatic gels from norbornene based crosslinkable monomers with a functionality of 2 or 3. Supercritical drying of these gels (CO2) leads to the formation of aerogels with densities as low as 4 mg mL− 1. The microstructure was analyzed by SEM, and pore analyses by nitrogen adsorption. The use of crosslinkable monomers allows the straightforward synthesis of aerogels consisting of only carbon and hydrogen with C:H ratios up to ca. CH1.58 with a finer microstructure than that of DCPD.