Industrial Applications of Olefin Metathesis Polymerization

This chapter discusses the industrial applications of olefin metathesis polymerization-derived product. The olefin metathesis polymerization-derived materials are niche products with very distinguished properties. Only the thermosetting poly(dicyclopentadiene) (pDCPD) holds promise of becoming a downmarket product, substituting to some extent epoxy-resins. Poly(norbornene) can be blended with many other elastomers, for example, natural rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber, to adjust the properties of the vulcanizates to the needs of the application. The cyclic olefin copolymers find application in optics, for example, lenses and prisms for cameras, especially for cameras of mobile phones or light guide plates used in liquid crystal displays. Polyalkenamers are linear polymers obtained from ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclic unsaturated monomers such as cyclooctene, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, or 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene. NatureWax finds applications in personal care and candle production.