Synthesis of Polypentenamer and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) with a Phase-Separable Polyisobutylene-Supported Second-Generation Hoveyda-Grubbs Catalyst

Equilibrium ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclic olefins using a soluble supported second-generation Ru complex has been investigated. Cycloolefin homo- and copolymers are of great academic and industrial importance owing to their interesting applications as packaging materials, adhesives in coatings, and optoelectronics. The supported complex exhibits good chemical stability and was effective in ROMP of strained cyclic olefins. In addition, the complex is easily phase separated from the product, resulting in lower residual ruthenium in the final polymer product compared with the homogeneous complex.