Described herein are compositions and methods for processing photopolymers based on olefin metathesis. The compositions and methods comprise latent ruthenium complexes and photoacids and/or photoacid generators.

Improved processes for making glyceride oligomers are generally disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the disclosed processes provide improved methods of using olefin metathesis to oligomerize unsaturated glycerides to make novel branched-chain polyester compositions. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides compositions formed by such processes.

The present invention relates to the use of specific catalysts for the metathesis degradation of nitrile rubber (NBR). The invention further relates to a method for preparing nitrile rubber with reduced molecular weight using specific catalysts.

The invention is directed to ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts of the Grubbs-Hoveyda type. The new 2-aryloxy-substituted ruthenium catalysts described herein reveal rapid initiation behavior. Further, the corresponding styrene-based precursor compounds are disclosed. The catalysts are prepared in a cross-metathesis reaction starting from styrene-based precursors which can be prepared in a cost-effective manner.

The new Grubbs-Hoveyda type catalysts are suitable to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), cross metathesis (CM) and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Low catalyst loadings are necessary to convert a wide range of substrates including more complex and critical substrates via metathesis reactions at low to moderate temperatures in high yields within short reaction times.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions containing a latent catalyst and a compound capable of generating a Bronsted acid with a counterion capable of coordinating and activating the latent catalyst along with one or more monomers which undergo ring open metathesis polymerization (ROMP) when said composition is exposed to a suitable radiation to form a three-dimensional (3D) object. The catalyst system employed therein can be sensitive to oxygen and thus inhibits polymerization in ambient atmospheric conditions. The three-dimensional objects made by this process exhibits improved mechanical properties, particularly, high distortion temperature, impact strength, elongation to break, among others. Accordingly, compositions of this invention are useful as 3D inkjet materials for forming high impact strength objects of various sizes with microscale features lower than 100 microns, among various other uses.

A highly efficient, Z-selective ring-closing metathesis system for the formation of macrocycles using a stereoretentive, ruthenium-based catalyst supported by a dithiolate ligand is reported. This catalyst is demonstrated to be remarkably active as observed in initiation experiments showing complete catalyst initiation at −20° C. within 10 min. Using easily accessible diene starting materials bearing a Z-olefin moiety, macrocyclization reactions generated products with significantly higher Z-selectivity in appreciably shorter reaction times, in higher yield, and with much lower catalyst loadings than in previously reported systems. Macrocyclic lactones ranging in size from twelve-membered to seventeen-membered rings are synthesized in moderate to high yields (68-79% yield) with excellent Z-selectivity (95%-99% Z).

The present application is directed to a nanocomposite organo gel having a continuous polymeric network structure, wherein polymer chains are held together by ionic interaction between polymer chain ends, interparticle chain entanglements, layered silicate surface modifier, ionic salt, and layered silicate. The present application is also directed to methods of making and using the nanocomposite organo gel.

This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis catalysts, to the preparation of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds, and the use of such compounds in the metathesis of olefins and in the synthesis of related olefin metathesis catalysts. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and in industrial applications such as oil and gas, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The invention relates to ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions of making polymers suitable for the electronic industry. Particularly, the invention relates to novel polymers with low dielectric constant (D.sub.k) and low dielectric loss (D.sub.f) suited for smaller, lighter, higher speeds and higher frequency transmission electronic products. Such polymers can be used in a variety of materials and composites of the printed circuit board (PCB) industry.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I ##STR00001##
with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb ##STR00002##
in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: ##STR00003##
and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.