Bio-Based Rubbers by Concurrent Cationic and Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of a Modified Linseed Oil

Bio‐based rubbers prepared by tandem cationic polymerization and ROMP using a norbornenyl‐modified linseed oil, Dilulin™, and a norbornene diester, NBDC, have been prepared and characterized. Increasing the concentration of the NBDC in the mixture results in a decrease in the glass transition temperature. The new bio‐based rubbers exhibit tensile test behavior ranging from relatively brittle (18% elongation) to moderately flexible (52% elongation) and with decreasing values of tensile stress with increasing NBDC content. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the bio‐based rubbers have maximum decomposition temperatures of over 450 °C with their thermal stability decreasing with increasing loadings of NBDC. Bio‐based rubbers were prepared from a norbornenyl‐functionalized linseed oil and a norbornene diester, didecyl 5‐norbornene‐endo‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (NBDC), through tandem cationic and ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. The incorporation of NBDC in these new bio‐based rubbers decreases their glass transition temperatures and increases their ultimate failure strains.