Addition polymerization of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene by cationic palladium cationic complex and subsequent derivatization.

Poly(5-ethylidene-2-norbornene) (PENB) was synthesized via a vinylic pathway using a cationic palladium-based catalyst, displaying high activity up to 1.06×10 g-PENB/mol Pd. The effects of the monomer to catalyst ratio, temperature, reaction time, and concentration on the polymerization were investigated systematically. The control tests and spectroscopic analyses of the PENB indicate that 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene is polymerized via an addition polymerization using endocyclic double bonds. The post-modification was also performed using a free radical graft polymerization. The resulting PENB copolymers were characterized by IR, H NMR, and GPC analyses. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]