Synthesis of Narrow Dispersed Linear Polyethylene and Block Copolymers from Polycyclobutene

Near monodispersed linear polyethylene can be synthesized y hydrogenation of polybutadiene prepared by the living ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclobutene. The polyethylene is highly crystalline, as determined by powder X-ray diffraction, and defect free, as shown by spectroscopic data. Living polycyclobutene can also react with anthracene dialdehyde to give a labeled polymer and with norbornene to produce a block copolymer.