Photoexcitation of Grubbs’ Second-Generation Catalyst Initiates Frontal Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization
Katherine J. Stawiasz, Justine E. Paul, Kevin J. Schwarz, Nancy R. Sottos, Jeffrey S. Moore
Abstract
In this work, a simple method is reported for control over initiation in frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP). This noncontact approach uses 375 nm light to excite Grubbs' second-generation catalyst in the presence of a phosphite inhibitor. Photoinitiated FROMP of dicylcopentadiene (DCPD) displays a similar cure profile to that of its thermally initiated counterpart, yielding a robust polymer with high glass transition temperature. Furthermore, this system is applied to enhance reaction rates in conventional ring-closing metathesis reactions.
Topics & Concepts
Ring-opening metathesis polymerisationPolymerizationMetathesisCatalysisMaterials sciencePolymerGrubbs' catalystAcyclic diene metathesisSalt metathesis reactionPhotoexcitationRing (chemistry)Polymer chemistryPhotochemistryChemistryOrganic chemistryComposite materialExcited statePhysicsNuclear physicsPhotopolymerization techniques and applicationsSynthetic Organic Chemistry MethodsClick Chemistry and Applications