Stereoselective Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) of Methyl-N-(1-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-3-carboxylate by Molybdenum and Tungsten Initiators

Abstract

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of methyl-N-(1-phenylethyl)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-3-carboxylate (PhEtNNBE; (S) and racemic) was investigated employing six molybdenum and tungsten imido alkylidene initiators and two tungsten oxo alkylidene initiators. Of the six initiators that we proposed should yield cis,syndiotactic-poly[(S)-PhEtNNBE], two molybdenum OHMT alkylidene initiators, Mo(NR)(CHMe2Ph)(pyr)(OHMT) (R = 1-adamantyl (Ad) or 2,6-Me2C6H3 (Ar′); OHMT = O-2,6-mesityl2C6H3; pyr = pyrrolide), and two tungsten oxo alkylidene initiators, W(O)(CHMe2Ph)(2,5-dimethylpyrrolide)(PMe2Ph)(OR) (OR = OHMT or (R)-OBr2Bitet where (R)-Br2BitetOH = (R)-3,3′-dibromo-2′-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octahydro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2-ol), produced essentially pure cis,syndiotactic-poly[(S)-PhEtNNBE]. Essentially pure cis,isotactic-poly[(S)-PhEtNNBE] was formed when (S)-PhEtNNBE was polymerized by Mo(NAr′)(CHCMe2Ph)(OBiphenCF3)(thf) or W(NAr′)(CHCMe2Ph)((S)-OBiphenMe) (OBiphenCF3 = 3,3′-d...