Colloid-Bound Catalysts for Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization: A Combination of Homogenous and Heterogeneous Properties

Abstract

Tailor-made thiols allow a ruthenium-based catalyst for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) to be tethered to bulk gold surfaces and to gold colloids (see picture). The functionalized gold colloids combine the properties of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst systems. Tethering of the catalyst leads to a pronounced increase in its catalytic activity.