Expanded Functionality of Polymers Prepared Using Metal-Free Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Photoredox-mediated metal-free ring-opening metathesis polymerization (MF-ROMP) is an alternative to traditional metal-mediated ROMP that avoids the use of transition metal initiators while also enabling temporal control over the polymerization. Herein, we explore the effect of various additives on the success of the polymerization in order to optimize reaction protocols and identify new functionalized monomers that can be utilized in MF-ROMP. The use of protected alcohol monomers allows for homo- and copolymers to be prepared that contain functionality beyond simple alkyl groups. Several other functional groups are also tolerated to varying degrees and offer insight into future directions for expansion of monomer scope.