No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The polymerization of cyclo-olefins, like that of olejins with an internal double bond, is sterically hindered. Within recent years it has become possible to prepare copolymers of these compounds with ethylene, with the aid of anionic coordination Ziegier catalysts. This copolymerization always results in cis-opening of the double bond. Despite the steric hindrance, cyclobutene and cyclopropene have also been homopolymerized, with opening of the double bond. -Rather surprisingly, the best catalysts for homopolymerization of cyclopenfene are those which exhibit low activity in the polymerization of ethylene. Ring cleavage occurs with MoCISIAl( C~H S )~ to give the cis-polypentenamer, whereas WCl,/ A I ( C~H S )~gives the trans-polypentenamer. Both polypentenamers exhibit elastomeric properties. -Evidence from infvared spectra and oxidative degradation indicates that the monomer units in the trans-polypentenamer are linked head-to-tail. It is presumably the single bond adjacent to the double bond that is broken. Using X-ray methods at -50 ' C , it was possible to determine the crystal structure of the crystalline trans-polypentenamer at about 400 % elongation.

No abstract