Synthesis, characterisation and properties of some well-defined comb graft copolymers

This thesis describes studies directed to the ring opening metathesis polymerisation of macromonomers and mesogenic monomers to produce graft copolymers and side chain liquid crystalline polymers respectively. The necessary background information relevant to the work described in this thesis is presented in chapter-1 and consists of four sections; namely, descriptions of metathesis polymerisation, anionic polymerisation, synthesis of graft copolymers and synthesis of side chain liquid crystalline polymers. The synthesis of the end capping reagent exo-5-norbomene-2- carbonyl chloride is described in chapter-2. The synthesis and characterisation of exo- 5-norbomene-2-poly(styrylcarboxylate) macromonomers by living anionic polymerisation is discussed in chapter-3. Chapter-4 reports the synthesis, characterisation and properties of graft copolymers prepared by ring opening metathesis polymerisation of exo-5-norbomene-2-poly(styrylcarboxylate) macromonomers. Chapters-5 describes the synthesis of the mesogenic monomer; (5)- (-)-2-methylbutyl-4-(4-(l 0-(3-cyclopentenylmethoxy) decyloxy) phenylcarbonyloxy) benzoate, suitable for ring opening metathesis polymerisation to produce side chain liquid crystalline polymer. The attempted synthesis of side chain liquid crystalline polymer by ring opening metathesis polymerisation of the mesogenic monomer; (5)-(- )-2-methylbutyl-4-(4-( 10-(3 -cyclopentenylmethoxy) decyloxy) phenylcarbonyloxy) benzoate is reported in chapter-6. Finally chapter-7 summarises the conclusions and makes some suggestions for future work.