| abstract |
Highly conjugated, soluble polymers are prepared by ring opening polymerization of cyclobutenes of the formula: <IMAGE> where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are individually selected from H, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl or R3 and R4 are combined into a divalent CR5, O, N=R or S group where R5 is H, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms with a mild ring opening olefin metathesis catalyst such as a metal carbene. Random copolymers or block copolymers may also be prepared with comonomers capable of olefin metathesis polymerization such as norbornene or cyclopentene. |