Reversible Inhibition/Activation of Olefin Metathesis: A Kinetic Investigation of ROMP and RCM Reactions with Grubbs' Catalyst

Mechanistic Insights into the cis-Selective Catalytic Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Cis-selective ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with the commercial Grubbs "nitrato catalyst" has shown promise for synthesizing stereoregular materials, but it comes with the drawback of losing control over the molecular weight due to the poor initiation rate of the catalyst and the need for stoichiometric ruthenium complex loading. To address these issues, we developed a chain transfer polymerization method that allows for the catalytic synthesis of polymers while controlling the degree of polymerization. This allowed us to produce shorter polymers with exceptional chain-end control. Analysis of the polymers revealed a novel double monomer addition mechanism for this catalyst. MALDI-ToF mass spectrometric measurements showed that when using small monomers like norbornene, the polymer chains contained only odd numbers of monomers. In contrast, the polymerization of norbornene-imide-type monomers shows a major distribution with odd numbers of monomers along with a minor distribution of even numbers. This unique distribution of polymer chain types had not been previously observed in ROMP. We explain this phenomenon by the chiral nature of the catalyst that yields two isomeric catalytic species with dissimilar reactivities toward monomer and chain transfer agents.

Cross-Linked Polyolefins through Tandem ROMP/Hydrogenation

Cross-linked polyolefins have important advantages over their thermoplastic analogues, particularly improved impact strength and abrasion resistance, as well as increased chemical and thermal stability; however, most strategies for their production involve postpolymerization cross-linking of polyolefin chains. Here, a tandem ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)/hydrogenation approach is presented. Cyclooctene (COE)-co-dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) networks are first synthesized using ROMP, after which the dispersed Ru metathesis catalyst is activated for hydrogenation through the addition of hydrogen gas. The reaction temperature for hydrogenation must be sufficiently high to allow mobility within the system, as dictated by thermal transitions (i.e., glass and melting transitions) of the polymeric matrix. COE-rich materials exhibit branched-polyethylene-like crystallinity (25% crystallinity) and melting points (Tm = 107 °C), as well as excellent ductility (>750% extension), while majority DCPD materials are glassy (Tg = 84 °C) and much stiffer (E = 710 MPa); all materials exhibit high tensile toughness. Importantly, hydrogenation of olefins in these cross-linked materials leads to notable improvements in oxidative stability, as saturated networks do not experience the same substantial degradation of mechanical performance as their unsaturated counterparts upon prolonged exposure to air.

Probing Catalyst Degradation in Metathesis of Internal Olefins: Expanding Access to Amine-Tagged ROMP Polymers

Ruthenium-promoted ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) offers potentially powerful routes to amine-functionalized polymers with antimicrobial, adhesive, and self-healing properties. However, amines readily degrade the methylidene and unsubstituted ruthenacyclobutane intermediates formed in metathesis of terminal olefins. Examined herein is the relevance of these decomposition pathways to ROMP (i.e., metathesis of internal olefins) by the third-generation Grubbs catalyst. Primary alkylamines rapidly quench polymerization via fast adduct formation, followed by nucleophilic abstraction of the propagating alkylidene. Bulkier, Brønsted-basic amines are less aggressive: attack competes only for slow polymerization or strong bases (e.g., DBU). Added HCl limits degradation, as demonstrated by the successful ROMP of an otherwise intractable methylamine monomer.

Expedient Synthesis and Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Pyridinonorbornenes

Pyridine-containing polymers are promising materials for a variety of applications from the capture of contaminants to the self-assembly of block copolymers. However, the innate Lewis basicity of the pyridine motif often hampers living polymerization catalyzed by transition-metal complexes. Herein, we report the expedient synthesis of pyridinonorbornene monomers via a [4+2] cycloaddition between 2,3-pyridynes and cyclopentadiene. Well-controlled ring-opening metathesis polymerization was enabled by careful structural design of the monomer. Polypyridinonorbornenes exhibited high Tg and Td, a promising feature for high-temperature applications. Investigation of the polymerization kinetics and of the reactivity of the chain ends shed light on the influence of nitrogen coordination on the chain-growth mechanism.

It is Better with Salt: Aqueous Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization at Neutral pH

Aqueous ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is a powerful tool for polymer synthesis under environmentally friendly conditions, functionalization of biomacromolecules, and preparation of polymeric nanoparticles via ROMP-induced self-assembly (ROMPISA). Although new water-soluble Ru-based metathesis catalysts have been developed and evaluated for their efficiency in mediating cross metathesis (CM) and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions, little is known with regards to their catalytic activity and stability during aqueous ROMP. Here, we investigate the influence of solution pH, the presence of salt additives, and catalyst loading on ROMP monomer conversion and catalyst lifetime. We find that ROMP in aqueous media is particularly sensitive to chloride ion concentration and propose that this sensitivity originates from chloride ligand displacement by hydroxide or H2O at the Ru center, which reversibly generates an unstable and metathesis inactive complex. The formation of this Ru-(OH)n complex not only reduces monomer conversion and catalyst lifetime but also influences polymer microstructure. However, we find that the addition of chloride salts dramatically improves ROMP conversion and control. By carrying out aqueous ROMP in the presence of various chloride sources such as NaCl, KCl, or tetrabutylammonium chloride, we show that diblock copolymers can be readily synthesized via ROMPISA in solutions with high concentrations of neutral H2O (i.e., 90 v/v%) and relatively low concentrations of catalyst (i.e., 1 mol %). The capability to conduct aqueous ROMP at neutral pH is anticipated to enable new research avenues, particularly for applications in biological media, where the unique characteristics of ROMP provide distinct advantages over other polymerization strategies.

Alternating Cascade Metathesis Polymerization of Enynes and Cyclic Enol Ethers with Active Ruthenium Fischer Carbenes

Ruthenium alkoxymethylidene complexes have rarely been demonstrated as active species in metathesis reactions and are frequently regarded as inert. Herein, we highlight the ability of these Fischer-type carbenes to participate in cascade alternating ring-opening metathesis polymerization through their efficient alkyne addition reactions. When enyne monomers are combined with low-strain cyclic vinyl ethers, a controlled chain-growth copolymerization occurs that exhibits high degrees of alternation (>90% alternating diads) and produces degradable poly(vinyl ether) materials with low dispersities and targetable molecular weights. This new method is amenable to the synthesis of alternating diblock polymers that can be degraded to small-molecule fragments under aqueous acidic conditions. This work furthers the potential of Fischer-type ruthenium alkylidenes in polymerization strategies and presents new avenues for the generation of functional metathesis materials.

A Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Screening Method for Olefin Metathesis Using a Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe

(Z)-1,8-Di(pyren-1-yl)oct-4-ene (1) was prepared as a probe for olefin metathesis. The conversions of substrate by olefin metathesis under various conditions were calculated using the ratiometric fluorescence intensity change of 1. The conversions calculated by 1 and gas chromatography were consistent. These results show that conversions of olefin metathesis can be simply obtained from the fluorescence change of 1 and this method can be applied to the high-throughput screening (HTS) method for various olefin metathesis.

Role of External Field in Polymerization: Mechanism and Kinetics

The past decades have witnessed an increasing interest in developing advanced polymerization techniques subjected to external fields. Various physical modulations, such as temperature, light, electricity, magnetic field, ultrasound, and microwave irradiation, are noninvasive means, having superb but distinct abilities to regulate polymerizations in terms of process intensification and spatial and temporal controls. Gas as an emerging regulator plays a distinctive role in controlling polymerization and resembles a physical regulator in some cases. This review provides a systematic overview of seven types of external-field-regulated polymerizations, ranging from chain-growth to step-growth polymerization. A detailed account of the relevant mechanism and kinetics is provided to better understand the role of each external field in polymerization. In addition, given the crucial role of modeling and simulation in mechanisms and kinetics investigation, an overview of model construction and typical numerical methods used in this field as well as highlights of the interaction between experiment and simulation toward kinetics in the existing systems are given. At the end, limitations and future perspectives for this field are critically discussed. This state-of-the-art research progress not only provides the fundamental principles underlying external-field-regulated polymerizations but also stimulates new development of advanced polymerization methods.

Living β-selective cyclopolymerization using Ru dithiolate catalysts

Cyclopolymerization (CP) of 1,6-heptadiyne derivatives is a powerful method for synthesizing conjugated polyenes containing five- or six-membered rings via α- or β-addition, respectively. Fifteen years of studies on CP have revealed that user-friendly Ru-based catalysts promoted only α-addition; however, we recently achieved β-selective regiocontrol to produce polyenes containing six-membered-rings, using a dithiolate-chelated Ru-based catalyst. Unfortunately, slow initiation and relatively low catalyst stability inevitably led to uncontrolled polymerization. Nevertheless, this investigation gave us some clues to how successful living polymerization could be achieved. Herein, we report living β-selective CP by rational engineering of the steric factor on monomer or catalyst structures. As a result, the molecular weight of the conjugated polymers from various monomers could be controlled with narrow dispersities, according to the catalyst loading. A mechanistic investigation by in situ kinetic studies using 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed that with appropriate pyridine additives, imposing a steric demand on either the monomer or the catalyst significantly improved the stability of the propagating carbene as well as the relative rates of initiation over propagation, thereby achieving living polymerization. Furthermore, we successfully prepared diblock and even triblock copolymers with a broad monomer scope.

Grubbs catalysts in intramolecular carbene C(sp3)-H insertion reactions from α-diazoesters

Grubbs catalysts are described as a useful alternative to promote intramolecular carbene C-H insertion from α-diazoesters. Moreover, no competition arises from the possible metathesis reactions on substrates bearing alkene and alkyne moieties. DFT calculations were also carried out to gain insight into the reaction mechanism involved in these transformations.

Synthesis of polymers with on-demand sequence structures via dually switchable and interconvertible polymerizations

The synthesis of polymers with on-demand sequence structures is very important not only for academic researchers but also for industry. However, despite the existing polymerization techniques, it is still difficult to achieve copolymer chains with on-demand sequence structures. Here we report a dually switchable and controlled interconvertible polymerization system; in this system, two distinct orthogonal polymerizations can be selectively switched ON/OFF independent of each other and they can be interconverted promptly and quantitatively according to external stimuli. Thus, the external stimuli can manipulate the insertion of distinct monomers into the resulting copolymer chains temporally, spatially, and orthogonally, allowing the on-demand precise arrangement of sequence structures in the resulting polymers. This dually switchable and interconvertible polymerization system provides a powerful tool for synthesizing materials that are not accessible by other polymerization methods.

Direct observation of Ru-alkylidene forming into ethylene in ring-closing metathesis from hyperpolarized 1H NMR

Ring-closing metathesis was monitored using real-time NMR of 1H hyperpolarized olefins at room temperature. By applying a selective saturation to an observable intermediate, its protons were found to transfer to ethylene. The intermediate was thus identified as a Ru-alkylidene species, which appears in the ethylene formation pathway.

Olefin metathesis in air using latent ruthenium catalysts: imidazole substituted amphiphilic hydrogenated ROMP polymers providing nano-sized reaction spaces in water

Imidazole substituted hydrogenated amphiphilic ROMP polymers were used as both surfactants and ligand precursors for olefin metathesis reactions in water.

Surface-Initiated Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Dicyclopentadiene from the Vapor Phase

Surface-attached polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) films were prepared on gold and silicon substrates via surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP) of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). The films were grown utilizing monomer in both the vapor phase and the solution phase with the former process exhibiting rapid kinetics, producing ∼400-nm-thick pDCPD films in less than 1 min of polymerization. No significant differences in thickness were observed for films grown from monomer in the vapor phase with the different isomers (exo and endo) of DCPD. Decane was used as an inert additive to control the concentration of DCPD monomer in the vapor phase enabling the preparation of pDCPD films with thickness ranging from tens of nanometers to hundreds of nanometers. The thickness of pDCPD films polymerized using monomer in the vapor phase was enhanced by the presence of a rinse solvent on the surface of the ROMP-active gold substrates. The choice of ROMP catalyst was found to be an important consideration when SI-ROMP was conducted on different substrates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to reveal that the films provide effective barriers to the diffusion of aqueous ions in excess of 1 × 10⁶ Ω·cm². The mechanical properties of the surface-tethered pDCPD films were quantified with AFM PeakForce quantitative nanomechanical mapping (QNM) with a measured reduced Young's modulus (E_r) of 15 GPa. The measured E_r was greater than that of a non-cross-linked surface-tethered polymer, pNB, indicating that the pDCPD films are stiffer.

Mechanistic investigation of the ring opening metathesis polymerisation of alkoxy and alkyl substituted paracyclophanedienes

This paper discusses the living nature of the ring opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of alkoxy and alkyl substituted [2.2] paracyclophane-1,9-dienes (M1 and M2), initiated with Grubbs’ second and third generation catalysts (G2 and G3).

Phase-selectively soluble polynorbornene as a catalyst support

A phase-selective polynorbornene catalyst-support has been developed that can be recycled using liquid/liquid separations, generating less waste than typical precipitations.

Frontal Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Exo-Dicyclopentadiene for Low Catalyst Loadings

Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is a polymer of growing importance in industrial applications. Frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) offers a means to rapidly cure PDCPD with minimal input energy owing to a propagating reaction wave sustained by the exothermic polymerization. Previous examples of FROMP have required the use of relatively high concentrations of costly ruthenium catalyst, negating many of the benefits of FROMP synthesis. In this contribution, we demonstrate that by using the highly reactive exo-dicyclopentadiene isomer for FROMP the concentration of catalyst is reduced over 3-fold, while maintaining a high frontal velocity. Reducing the amount of ruthenium required for FROMP makes this technique attractive for the production of large PDCPD structural components.

A Light-Activated Olefin Metathesis Catalyst Equipped with a Chromatic Orthogonal Self-Destruct Function

A sulfur-chelated photolatent ruthenium olefin metathesis catalyst has been equipped with supersilyl protecting groups on the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. The silyl groups function as an irreversible chromatic kill switch, thus decomposing the catalyst when it is irradiated with 254 nm UV light. Therefore, different types of olefin metathesis reactions may be started by irradiation with 350 nm UV light and prevented by irradiation with shorter wavelengths. The possibility to induce and impede catalysis just by using light of different frequencies opens the pathway for stereolithographic applications and novel light-guided chemical sequences.

Augmentation of productivity in olefin cross-metathesis: maleic acid does the trick!

Why use the protected esters when the free acids result in better catalytic performances?

A delayed curing ROMP based thermosetting resin

A liquid ROMP based thermosetting resin is developed which undergoes slow polymerization at room temperature and rapid polymerization at elevated temperatures.

α,ω-Bis(trialkoxysilyl) difunctionalized polycyclooctenes from ruthenium-catalyzed chain-transfer ring-opening metathesis polymerization

ROMP/CM of COE using bis(trialkoxysilyl)alkenes CTAs and Ru catalysts affords a series of bis(trialkoxysilyl) difunctionalized polyolefins.

Reversible modulation of the activity of thiourea catalysts with anions: a simple approach to switchable asymmetric catalysis

A simple and straightforward approach to switchable asymmetric catalysis is presented, based on the interactions of thiourea catalysts with anions.

Polymer nanostructures synthesized by controlled living polymerization for tumor-targeted drug delivery

The development of drug delivery systems based on well-defined polymer nanostructures could lead to significant improvements in the treatment of cancer. The design of these therapeutic nanosystems must account for numerous systemic and circulation obstacles as well as the specific pathophysiology of the tumor. Nanoparticle size and surface charge must also be carefully selected in order to maintain long circulation times, allow tumor penetration, and avoid clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Targeting ligands such as vitamins, peptides, and antibodies can improve the accumulation of nanoparticle-based therapies in tumor tissue but must be optimized to allow for intratumoral penetration. In this review, we will highlight factors influencing the design of nanoparticle therapies as well as the development of modern controlled "living" polymerization techniques (e.g. ATRP, RAFT, ROMP) that are leading to the creation of sophisticated new polymer architectures with discrete spatially-defined functional modules. These innovative materials (e.g. star polymers, polymer brushes, macrocyclic polymers, and hyperbranched polymers) combine many of the desirable properties of traditional nanoparticle therapies while substantially reducing or eliminating the need for complex formulations.

Hexacoordinate Ru-based olefin metathesis catalysts with pH-responsive N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and N-donor ligands for ROMP reactions in non-aqueous, aqueous and emulsion conditions

Three new ruthenium alkylidene complexes (PCy₃)Cl₂(H₂ITap)Ru=CHSPh (9), (DMAP)₂Cl₂(H₂ITap)Ru=CHPh (11) and (DMAP)₂Cl₂(H₂ITap)Ru=CHSPh (12) have been synthesized bearing the pH-responsive H₂ITap ligand (H₂ITap = 1,3-bis(2’,6’-dimethyl-4’-dimethylaminophenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene). Catalysts 11 and 12 are additionally ligated by two pH-responsive DMAP ligands. The crystal structure was solved for complex 12 by X-ray diffraction. In organic, neutral solution, the catalysts are capable of performing standard ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and ring closing metathesis (RCM) reactions with standard substrates. The ROMP with complex 11 is accelerated in the presence of two equiv of H₃PO₄, but is reduced as soon as the acid amount increased. The metathesis of phenylthiomethylidene catalysts 9 and 12 is sluggish at room temperature, but their ROMP can be dramatically accelerated at 60 °C. Complexes 11 and 12 are soluble in aqueous acid. They display the ability to perform RCM of diallylmalonic acid (DAMA), however, their conversions are very low amounting only to few turnovers before decomposition. However, both catalysts exhibit outstanding performance in the ROMP of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and mixtures of DCPD with cyclooctene (COE) in acidic aqueous microemulsion. With loadings as low as 180 ppm, the catalysts afforded mostly quantitative conversions of these monomers while maintaining the size and shape of the droplets throughout the polymerization process. Furthermore, the coagulate content for all experiments stayed <2%. This represents an unprecedented efficiency in emulsion ROMP based on hydrophilic ruthenium alkylidene complexes.

Ring-Closing and Cross-Metathesis with Artificial Metalloenzymes Created by Covalent Active Site-Directed Hybridization of a Lipase

A series of Grubbs-type catalysts that contain lipase-inhibiting phosphoester functionalities have been synthesized and reacted with the lipase cutinase, which leads to artificial metalloenzymes for olefin metathesis. The resulting hybrids comprise the organometallic fragment that is covalently bound to the active amino acid residue of the enzyme host in an orthogonal orientation. Differences in reactivity as well as accessibility of the active site by the functionalized inhibitor became evident through variation of the anchoring motif and substituents on the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. Such observations led to the design of a hybrid that is active in the ring-closing metathesis and the cross-metathesis of N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide and allylbenzene, respectively, the latter being the first example of its kind in the field of artificial metalloenzymes.

Functional polyesters derived from alternating copolymerization of norbornene anhydride and epoxides

Alternating polymerization of norbornene containing polyesters and their functionalization.