Abstract:
Statistical copolymers of norbornene (NBE) with cyclopentene (CP) were
prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, employing the
1st-generation Grubbs’ catalyst, in the presence or absence of
triphenylphosphine, PPh3. The reactivity ratios were estimated using the
Finemann-Ross, inverted Finemann-Ross, and Kelen-Tudos graphical
methods, along with the computer program COPOINT, which evaluates the
parameters of binary copolymerizations from comonomer/copolymer
composition data by integrating a given copolymerization equation in its
differential form. Structural parameters of the copolymers were obtained
by calculating the dyad sequence fractions and the mean sequence length,
which were derived using the monomer reactivity ratios. The kinetics of
thermal decomposition of the copolymers along with the respective
homopolymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis within the
framework of the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Kissinger methodologies. Finally,
the effect of triphenylphosphine on the kinetics of copolymerization,
the reactivity ratios, and the kinetics of thermal decomposition were
examined.
