Abstract: Functionalized cyclic olefins and methods for making the same are disclosed. Methods include template-directed ring-closing metathesis (“RCM”) of functionalized acyclic dienes and template-directed depolymerization of functionalized polymers possessing regularly spaced sties of unsaturation. Although the template species may be any anion, cation, or dipolar compound, cationic species, especially alkali metals, are preferred. Functionalized polymers with regularly spaced sites of unsaturation and methods for making the same are also disclosed. One method for synthesizing these polymers is by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (“ROMP”) of functionalized cyclic olefins.

Abstract: Functionalized cyclic olefins and methods for making the same are disclosed. Methods include template-directed ring-closing metathesis ("RCM") of functionalized acyclic dienes and template-directed depolymerization of functionalized polymers possessing regularly spaced sites of unsaturation. Although the template species may be any anion, cation, or dipolar compound, cationic species, especially alkali metals, are preferred. Functionalized polymers with regularly spaced sites of unsaturation and methods for making the same are also disclosed. One method for synthesizing these polymers is by ring-opening metathesis polymerization ("ROMP") of functionalized cyclic olefins. The metathesis catalysts for both RCM and ROMP reaction are ruthenium or osmium carbene complex catalysts of the formula ##STR1## where M is Os or Ru; R and R.sup.1 each may be hydrogen, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 carboxylate, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: Novel polythiophene derivatives are provided along with sensing devices comprising such derivatives in a layer disposed upon a substrate. In preferred embodiments, the polythiophene derivatives bear crown ether moieties covalently bound to 3 positions of adjacent thiophene units.