Copolymerization of norbornene containing 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl group with norbornene using metathesis catalyst

Summary The ring opening metathesis copolymerization of 5-{(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl)oxy]methyl}-2-norbornene (BHBN) with norbornene was carried out using Ru and Os based catalysts. Analysis of the copolymers obtained during the initial stages of copolymerization revealed that both monomers were incorporated randomly and with the same reactivity, indicating that the steric effect of BHBN is not important. The molecular weights of copolymers were found to be in the order of 3×10⁵ with dispersity of around 2. Characterization and some properties of these copolymers are described.