Polymers derived from norbornenes with polar groups are of interest as modular templates and materials for membrane processes and microelectronic applications due to the attractive combination of their properties. However, the synthesis of high-molecular weight homopolymers from norbornenes containing polar groups is still a challenge. Herein, we report our examination of the precatalyst and cocatalyst influence on vinyl-addition polymerization of two types of norbornene monomers with bulky and polar groups (substituted nadimides and norbornenes with cellosolve motif). The key to successful vinyl addition polymerization of these monomers is the proper combination of a cocatalyst and a Pd precatalyst. Both components of a catalytic system seem to play equal roles. The catalytic activity and molecular weights of the resulting polymers are efficiently tuned by the nature of both pre- and cocatalyst. Moreover, the impact of the cocatalyst depends on the monomer nature and can be different for norbornenes with nonpolar and polar groups. As a result, a set of glassy and amorphous vinyl-addition homopolymers from norbornenes with polar groups is prepared with yields up to 98% and M_w ≤ 3 × 10⁶ over Pd complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. The polymers exhibit excellent film-forming properties. These results provide an insight and opportunity for further work expansion in order to obtain new high-performance polymers based on strained cycloalkenes with polar groups, which are not currently available.

The task of CO₂ decomposition is one of the components of the problem associated with global warming. One of the promising directions of its solution is the use of low-temperature plasma. For these purposes, different types of discharges are used. Microwave discharge in liquid hydrocarbons has not been studied before for this problem. This paper presents the results of a study of microwave discharge products in liquid Nefras C2 80/120 (petroleum solvent, a mixture of light hydrocarbons with a boiling point from 33 to 205 °C) when CO₂ is introduced into the discharge zone, as well as the results of a study of the discharge by optical emission spectroscopy and shadow photography methods. The main gas products are H₂, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, CH₄, CO₂, and CO. No oxygen was found in the products. The mechanisms of CO₂ decomposition in the discharge are considered. The formation of H₂ occurs simultaneously with the decomposition of CO₂ in the discharge, with a volumetric rate of up to 475 mL/min and energy consumption of up to 81.4 NL/kWh.

Metathesis homo- and copolymerization of bifunctional monomers bearing two norbornene moieties was studied. The monomers were synthesized from cis-5-norbornene-exo-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride and various diamines (hexamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamine, 1R,3S-isophoronediamine). The metathesis homopolymerization of these bis(nadimides) in the presence of the second-generation Grubbs catalyst afforded glassy cross-linked polymers in more than 90% yields. The metathesis copolymerization of the bis(nadimides) and a monofunctional norbornene derivative containing the β-pinene fragment also resulted in insoluble cross-linked polymers in nearly quantitative yields. The structures and purity of the synthesized polymers were confirmed via IR spectroscopy and CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Conditions for the fabrication of mechanically strong solution-cast thin films based on copolymers synthesized from the comonomers mentioned above were determined by varying the content of the cross-linking agent. It was shown that the films made in this way are stable in a range of organic solvents and could be useful as semipermeable or membrane materials for use in liquid organic media. The permeability of the polymer films in question to 1-phenylethanol and mandelic acid was studied. The results obtained are discussed along with the data from the DSC, TGA, and powder X-ray diffraction studies of the properties of the synthesized metathesis homo- and copolymers.