Ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropenes

Abstract

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropenes (CPs) has been explored for the first time using Grubbs 3rd generation catalyst. A range of 1,2-CPs yielded polymers with controllable MWs and low dispersitities, and allowed the synthesis of block copolymers, absent from secondary metathesis. However, there existed a competing intramolecular termination pathway for these monomers, limiting the timescale for their ROMP to stay living.