Precision polymers: a kinetic approach for functional poly(norbornenes)

The potential control over monomer sequence in the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of functional norbornenes is explored based on the difference in reactivity of endo and exo isomers. This kinetic approach allows the rapid consumption of the exo-norbornene and insertion onto the growing poly(norbornene) chain within a narrow region of the overall polymer chain, whilst maintaining a homogeneous backbone. We herein demonstrate that this can be achieved using a range of functional monomers easily derived from commercially available precursors while their polymerization is carried out in a controlled manner.