Metathetical Degradation and Depolymerization of Unsaturated Polymers

Abstract

The employment of transition metal catalysts has been a viable route in the degradation and depolymerization of unsaturated polymers. Initially, unsaturated polymers were degraded with a catalytic system containing a transition metal and a Lewis acid cocatalyst (WCl₆/SnBu₄). Degradation chemistry was effective in reducing the molecular weight of the polymer, however, the classical catalyst system induces side reactions which generates ill-defined products. These side reactions were obviated by using a preformed alkylidene without a Lewis acid cocatalyst, and perfectly difunctional telechelics were synthesized.