Synthesis of high-molecular weight poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-silapentene) by olefin metathesis polymerization in the presence of Grubbs catalysts

Publication date: Available online 5 February 2020Source: Journal of Organometallic ChemistryAuthor(s): Alexander Morontsev, Maria Gringolts, Valentin Lakhtin, Eugene FinkelshteinAbstractHeterochain polycarbosilanes are well-known materials possessed important properties. Some of their applications, such as gas separation membranes, require high molecular weight polymers that provide good filmforming and mechanical properties. In this research, the synthesis of poly (1,1-dimethyl-1-silapentene) via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclopentene and the acyclic dienes metathesis (ADMET) of diallyldimethylsilane mediated by Ru-carbene Grubbs complexes 1st - 3rd generations as well as Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst were studied for the first time. High molecular weight poly (1,1-dimethyl-1-silapentene) was synthesized by ROMP of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclopentene. Varying the type and loading catalyst, temperature and monomer concentration, we obtained poly (1,1-dimethyl-1- silapentene) with Mw = 100–143 kDa, which is significantly higher (5–7 times) than that reached previously by olefin metathesis polymerization. The ADMET polymerization of diallyldimethylsilane led to oligomers with the average polymerization degree not exceeded 4.4.Graphical abstract

Source: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry - February 6, 2020 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research