An Olefin Metathesis Polymerization Catalyst System And Curable Compositions Containing The Catalyst System

Abstract

Disclosed is an olefin metathesis polymerization catalyst system. The catalyst system comprises a metalate as pre-catalyst and an aluminum complex as co-catalyst, wherein the aluminum complex is an alkoxyalkylaluminum halide complex [(OR1)(R2)AlX1]n wherein OR1 is an alkoxy ligand derivable from an alcohol with a pKa in the range of from 18-30, wherein the alkoxy is optionally functionalized and wherein further n is an integer in the range of from 1-3, R2 is an alkyl, and X1 is an halide. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a molded article of a curable composition comprising the catalyst system. The method comprises providing the curable composition by combining the cyclic olefin and the olefin metathesis polymerization catalyst system in a mold; subjecting the composition to conditions effective to promote an olefin metathesis reaction of the cyclic olefin in the closed mold; and taking the reacted composition out of the mold to obtain the molded article. With the method a thin-walled article of a cyclic olefin polymer may be obtained having a glass transition temperature Tg above 60° C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.