Proof of Tacticity of Stereoregular ROMP Polymers through Post Polymerization Modification

Partial bromination or epoxidation has been used to confirm the tacticities of several stereoregular polymers made through ROMP methods with well-defined Mo or W initiators. Tacticities were proven for <em>cis,isotactic</em> and <em>cis,syndiotactic</em> poly(norbornene), poly(3-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene), and poly(<em>endo,anti</em>-tetracyclododecene). Various limitations can stop application of these proofs in general to stereoregular polymers prepared through ROMP.