Metathesis co-polymerization as a means of comparing the reactivity of ruthenium initiators in conventional solvents and ionic liquids

Ring opened metathesis polymerization was carried out on a number of cyclic olefins using Cl2(PCy3)2Ru[CH(Ph)] and [(η6-p-cymene)(PCy3)RuCl(CCCPh2)]OTf in dichloromethane and a range of ionic liquids. Microstructural parameters were determined from the 13C NMR spectra recorded of the polymers. The findings indicate that an increase in activity of both catalysts can occur in certain ionic liquids systems. It was also observed that the activity of [(η6-p-cymene)(PCy3)RuCl(CCCPh2)]OTf increases upon addition of an excess of phenol.

Graphical abstractRing opened metathesis polymerization was carried out on a number of cyclic olefins using Cl2(PCy3)2Ru[CH(Ph)] and [(η6-p-cymene)(PCy3)RuCl(CCCPh2)]OTf in dichloromethane and a range of ionic liquids. Microstructural parameters were determined from the 13C NMR spectra recorded of the polymers. The findings indicate that an increase in activity of both catalysts can occur in certain ionic liquids systems.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide