The structure of random ethylene/propylene (EP) copolymers has been modeled using step polymerization chemistry. Six ethylene/propylene model copolymers have been prepared via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization and characterized for primary and higher level structure using in-depth NMR, IR, DSC, WAXD, and GPC analysis. These copolymers possess 1.5, 7.1, 13.6, 25.0, 43.3, and 55.6 methyl branches per 1000 carbons. Examination of these macromolecules by IR and WAXD analysis has demonstrated the first hexagonal phase in EP copolymers containing high ethylene content (90%) without the influence of sample manipulation (temperature, pressure, or radiation). Thermal behavior studies have shown that the melting point and heat of fusion decrease as the branch content increases. Further, comparisons have been made between these random ADMET EP copolymers, random EP copolymers made by typical chain addition techniques, and precisely branched ADMET EP copolymers.

A structural investigation of precise ethylene/1-butene (EB) copolymers has been completed using step polymerization chemistry. The synthetic methodology needed to generate four model copolymers is described; their primary and higher level structure is characterized. The copolymers possess an ethyl branch on every 9th, 15th, and 21st carbon along the backbone of linear polyethylene. Melting points and heats of fusion decrease with increased branch frequency. Differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy show highly disordered crystal structures favoring ethyl branch inclusion. On the other hand, the EB copolymers contain high concentrations of kink and gauche defects independent of branch frequency. These model copolymers are compared with random copolymers produced using traditional chain chemistry and previously synthesized ADMET EP copolymers.

A deuterium labeling study was undertaken to determine the mechanism of olefin isomerization during the metathesis reactions catalyzed by a second-generation Grubbs catalyst (2). The reaction of allyl-1,1-d 2 methyl ether with 2 at 35 °C was followed by 1H and 2H NMR spectroscopy. The evidence of deuterium incorporation at the C-2 position of the isomerized product, trans-propenyl methyl ether, led to the conclusion that a metal hydride addition−elimination mechanism was operating under these conditions. Consequently, complex 8, an analogue of 2 bearing deuterated o-methyl groups on the aromatic rings of the NHC ligand, was synthesized to investigate the role of the NHC ligand in the formation of hydride species. Thermal decomposition of benzylidene 8 and methylidene 8‘ was monitored by 2H NMR spectroscopy; no deuteride complex was detected in either case. The decomposition mixtures were tested for isomerization activity with benchmark 1-octene but did not match the isomerization rates observed with 2 under similar metathesis conditions. Reaction of complex 8 with various olefinic substrates not only confirmed the formation of a deuteride complex but also revealed the existence of a competitive H/D exchange process between the CD3 groups on the NHC ligand and the C−H bonds of the substrate. We propose that the exchange is promoted by a ruthenium dihydride intermediate whose formation is closely related to the methylidene decomposition.

A kinetic study of three ruthenium carbene catalysts, (H 2IPr)(PCy3)(Cl)2RudCHPh, 3 (investigated extensively by Mol), (H2IMes)(Cl)2RudCH(o-iPrOC6H4), 4 (Hoveyda's catalyst), and (H2-IPr)(Cl)2RudCH(o-iPrOC6H4), 5 (a new catalyst structure), was conducted under ADMET polymerization conditions. The kinetic behavior of these catalysts was compared to the classical first-and secondgeneration Grubbs' complexes at 30, 45, and 60 °C. Complex 3 exhibits the highest initial ADMET rate (80 DP s -1 ) of any phosphine complex to date and efficiently promotes metathesis even at temperatures as low as 0 °C. Complex 4 alone does not polymerize 1,9-decadiene in the bulk; however, addition of a polar solvent induces polymerization. Combining elements of catalysts 3 and 4 yielded the new complex 5. This complex results in higher polycondensation rates than previous Hoveyda-type structures and exhibits an increased stability over its parent phosphine complex. The new catalyst polymerizes 1,9decadiene in the bulk to high polymer (M n ) 40 000 g/mol) using low catalyst loadings (0.1 mol %). The isomerization chemistry induced by complexes 3 and 5 was investigated using a model compound, 1-octene.