Ring-opening metathesis polymerization of phosphazene-functionalized norbornenes

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of phosphazene-functionalized norbornenes was demonstrated with the use of (PCy₃)₂Cl₂RuCHPh as catalyst (where Cy = cyclohexyl). This allowed the incorporation of alkoxy-, fluoroalkoxy-, and aryloxy-derived cyclic phosphazenes as side groups linked to the organic polymer backbone. The polymers were obtained in moderate yields with the properties being dependent on the side groups present and on the molecular weight. The polymers were characterized by multinuclear NMR, DSC, TGA, GPC, elemental analysis, and, in one case, contact angle measurements.