Alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of amino acid derived norbornene monomers carrying nonprotected carboxy and amino groups based on acid-base interaction.

Amino acid derived norbornene monomers having carboxy (1) and amino groups (2) were synthesized and subjected to ring-opening metathesis copolymerization with various feed ratios using the Grubbs second generation ruthenium catalyst. The M(n)'s of the copolymers ranged from 5300 to 9400 (M(w)/M(n) = 1.40-1.69). The monomer conversion and M(n) of the copolymer were maximized when the monomer feed ratio was 1:1. The monomer unit ratios in the copolymers were almost 1:1 at 10% conversion, irrespective of the feed ratios. The monomer reactivity ratios r(1) and r(2) were estimated to be 0.08 and 0.02, which confirmed that alternating copolymerization occurred. It is considered that alternating copolymerization is brought about by the acid-base interaction between the monomers and/or between the propagating polymer end and the incoming monomer.