Bulk Coordination Polymerization of Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) by Pd Complexes Containing β-Ketoiminate or β-Diketiminate Ligands

Several palladium complexes containing ${\beta}$-ketoiminate and ${\beta}$-diketiminate ligands successfully produced poly(DCPD) possibly via vinyl addition. It was found that catalysts with ${\beta}$-diketiminate ligands containing bulkier aryl substituents showed the highest activity in the presence of MAO as a cocatalyst. Purity of DCPD is quite essential for the higher activity and small amount of organic solvent such as $CH_2Cl_2$ and toluene is required to reduce the viscosity of the reactant mixture for the higher activity. $^1H$ NMR spectra of produced polymers with N,N-dimethylanilinium tetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate (N,N-DAPFAr"$_4$) show that 5,6-double bond of DCPD is removed with 2,3-double bond remaining. Produced poly(DCPD) with MAO cocatalyst is quite rigid and insoluble in common organic solvents but rather brittle.