Catalytic Synthesis of Secondary Amine-Containing Polymers: Variable Hydrogen Bonding for Tunable Rheological Properties

A synthetic protocol using atom-economic, catalytic hydroaminoalkylation and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) has been developed for the versatile synthesis of a new class of aryl-substituted secondary amine-containing polymers. This catalytic route minimizes waste generation and avoids protection/deprotection protocols, postpolymerization modification, and byproduct formation. Different amines can be readily incorporated to access variable hydrogen-bonding characteristics. Thermal and melt rheological characterization has shown the profound effect of hydrogen bonding on the bulk properties of these amine-containing norbornene polymers.