California Institute of Technology

Eric J Ginsburg

Robert H Grubbs

Dennis A Dougherty

Timothy M Swager

A precursor route to the synthesis of polyacetylene and other conductive polymers is provided by the formation of high energy polymers by ring opening metathesis polymerization. In particular, the high energy polymers having the following general formula are formed from monomers as shown: ##STR1## In the formula, A is an organic structure that is relieved of strain upon the ring opening polymerization and B is an organic structure with strain energy.gtoreq.20 kcal/mole. Such high energy polymers are also found to be spontaneously decomposable with heat or mechanical stress. Consequently, the high energy polymers formed in accordance with the invention may find use in explosives or other sources of high energy.

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Eric J Ginsburg