Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornene and Derivatives by the Triply Bonded Ditungsten Complex Na[W2(μ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]•(THF)3

In this study, the reactions of the bimetallic compound Na[W2(μ-Cl)3Cl4(THF)2]·(THF)3 (1, (W 3 W), a'e') with norbornene (NBE) and some of its derivatives (5-X-2-NBE; X = COOH (NBE–COOH), OH (NBE–OH), CN (NBE–CN), COOMe (NBE–COOMe), CH=CH2 (VNBE); norbornadiene (NBD)) are described. Complex 1 contains a tungsten–tungsten triple bond, bearing three halide bridges and two labile THF ligands, in a cisoidal relationship along the metal–metal axis. The complex was found to be a highly efficient room temperature homogeneous and heterogeneous unicomponent initiator for the catalytic ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of most substrates. NBE provides polynorbornene (PNBE) of high molecular weight (Mw) in high yields, soluble in organic solvents. The reaction proceeds with high cis-stereoselectivity (80%–86% cis), independently of the reaction conditions. Strongly coordinating pendant groups (–COOH, –OH, –CN) deactivate 1, whereas substrates bearing softer ones (–COOMe, –CH=CH2) are quantitatively polymerized. NBD gives OPEN ACCESS Polymers 2012, 4 1658 quantitatively insoluble PNBD. The polymers have been characterized by H, C NMR and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Monitoring the reactions in situ by H NMR (1/NBD or NBE) provides direct evidence of the metathetical nature of the polymerization with the observation of the active tungsten alkylidene propagating polymeric chains. Mechanistic aspects of the reactions are discussed.