Synthesis of new fluorine containing ring-opened polynorbornene dicarboximides using ruthenium alkylidene catalysts

Summary  The synthesis of new N-4-trifluoromethylphenyl-exo-endo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (TFmNDI, 2a) and N-3,5-difluorophenyl-exo-endo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (DFNDI, 2b) was carried out. Polynorbornene dicarboximides, 3a and 3b, were obtained via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using bis(tricyclohexylphosphine) benzylidene ruthenium(IV) dichloride (I) and tricyclohexylphosphine 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene]benzylidene] ruthenium dichloride (II), respectively. T_g’s for polymers 3a and 3b were observed at 155 C and 142 C, respectively. Compared to polymer 3b, polymer 3a with the bulky trifluoromethyl group showed the highest glass transition temperature and improved mechanical properties.