Tungsten-imido catalysts for ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cycloolefins

摘要

This invention relates to a two component catalyst system for the polymerization of metathesis polymerizable polycyclic cycloolefins, comprising (a) a tungsten-imido compound having the formula W(NR¹)X_4-x(OR²)_x·L_y wherein x=O, 1, 2, 3 or 4; y=O or 1; R¹ and R² are alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-substituted phenyl, phenylalkyl or halogen-substituted derivatives of alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-substituted phenyl or phenylalkyl; X=Br or Cl; where alkyl has 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl substituted phenyl has 12-18 carbon atoms and phenylalkyl has 7 to 20 carbon atoms; and L is a donor ligand; and (b) an activator compound.;The catalyst system is used to prepare thermoset molded articles having low levels of residual monomer.