Synthesis and ROMP of new sulfobetaine and carboxybetaine norbornene

The synthesis of novel norbornene based polyzwitterions via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is present. Trifluoracetic acid (TFA) was used as a solvent to provide a homogenous medium for the polymerization reaction of sulfobetaines with the commercially available Hoveyda-Grubbs’ initiator. In order to prevent the competitive complexation via carboxylate functional group of the ruthenium metal center, we carried out the controlled polymerization of ethyl protected carboxybetaines monomers.