Dewar Heterocycles as Versatile Monomers for Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Boron-Nitrogen-Containing Benzene Valence Isomers

Benzene is one of the most ubiquitous structural motifs in chemistry. The valence isomers of benzene have also attracted synthetic chemists' attention due to their unique structures, bonding, and reactivity. We have been investigating boron-nitrogen-containing benzene valence isomers via photoisomerization of 1,2-azaborines. In this contribution, we summarize recent developments of these highly strained BN-heterocyclic compounds including their synthesis, characterization, proposed mechanism of formation, and their potential applications.

Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of the Dewar Isomer of 1,2-Azaborinine, a B-N Isostere of Benzene

The successful polymerization of the Dewar isomer of an azaborinine heterocycle is reported. Controlled ring-opening metathesis polymerization was accomplished with Grubbs and Hoveya-Grubbs second generation catalysts (G2, HG2), as well as a Z-selective Ru catalyst (HGM2001). The structure of the polymers containing 4-membered B-N heterocycles was verified by GPC and multinuclear and 2D NMR. Differences in stereochemistry of polymers derived from G2/HG2 versus the Z-selective catalyst HGM2001 were substantiated by 2D NOESY, FT-IR, and Raman analyses. The incorporation of B-N heterocycles into these polymer structures is promising as a route to functional polymers that contain polar side groups.

Post-Polymerization Modification of Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)-Derived Materials Using Wittig Reactions

This communication describes our recent efforts to utilize Wittig olefination reactions for the post-polymerization modification of polynorbornene derivatives prepared through ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Polymerizing α-bromo ester-containing norbornenes provides polymers that can undergo facile substitution with triphenylphosphine. The resulting polymeric phosphonium salt is then deprotonated to form an ylide that undergoes reaction with various aryl aldehydes in a one-pot fashion to yield the respective cinnamates. These materials can undergo further modification through photo-induced [2 + 2] cycloaddition cross-linking reactions.