Modification of Functional Polyesters Bearing Norbornene Moieties via Olefin Metathesis Reactions

Abstract

I n this study, unsaturated functional polyester derivatives were synthesized via polycondensation reactions of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride and 1,6-hexanediol. Functional unsaturated polyesters were modified using methyl acrylate as ring opening/cross-metathesis reaction partner. The solubility and hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of polyester was tuned by integrating allyl end capped poly(ethyleneglycol) by ring opening/cross-metathesis reactions. Norbornene moiety of unsaturated polyesters allowed us to use ring opening metathesis polymerization reactions to form side-chain poly(norbornene) on main polyester chain using Grubbs 1st, 3rd and Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation catalysts as initiators, resulting in gel-like materials.