Synthesis and ring opening metathesis polymerization of some substituted norbornenes

The work reported in this thesis is concerned with an investigation of the synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization of some substituted norbomenes. The monomers investigated were 2-phenoxy-3-chloro-2,3-difluorobicyclo[2.2. l]hept-5-ene and 2-phenoxycarbonylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene.The attempted synthesis of 2-phenoxy-3-chloro-2,3-difluorobicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene and the synthesis and characterisation of 2-phenoxycarbonylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene (or 2-phenoxycarbonyl norbomene) are discussed in Chapter 2.The ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 2-phenoxycarbonyl norbornene and the characterisation of the polymers obtained via classical and well-defined catalysis are described in Chapter 3. The final chapter is concerned with some of the physical properties of the polymers.