Abstract: A multiblock, cationic-functionalized norbornene copolymer is formed by a process including performing a vinyl addition polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst of a first norbornene monomer substituted with a first alkyl group and a second norbornene monomer substituted with a second alkyl group by adding a predetermined amount of the first norbornene monomer and a predetermined amount of the second norbornene monomer sequentially to the reaction to form blocks of an intermediate norbornene multiblock copolymer. The second alkyl group includes a substituent which undergoes a reaction with a precursor for a cationic group having a volume less than 0.25 cm3/mol. The process further includes reacting the precursor for the cationic group with the intermediate norbornene multiblock copolymer to form the multiblock, cationic-functionalized norborene copolymer.

Abstract: A statistical, cationic-functionalized norbornene copolymer is formed by a process including performing a vinyl addition polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst of a first norbornene monomer substituted with a first alkyl group and at least a second norbornene monomer substituted with a second alkyl group, to form an intermediate norbornene copolymer. The second alkyl group includes a substituent which undergoes a substitution reaction with a precursor of a cationic group. The process further includes adding the precursor for the cationic group to the intermediate norbornene copolymer to form the cationic functionalized norbornene copolymer. The cationic group has a volume of 0.25 cm3/mol or greater (for example, a phosphonium group or an imidazolium group).

Abstract: A statistical, cationic-functionalized norbornene copolymer is formed by a process including performing a vinyl addition polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst of a first norbornene monomer substituted with a first alkyl group and at least a second norbornene monomer substituted with a second alkyl group, to form an intermediate norbornene copolymer. The second alkyl group includes a substituent which undergoes a substitution reaction with a precursor of a cationic group. The process further includes adding the precursor for the cationic group to the intermediate norbornene copolymer to form the cationic functionalized norbornene copolymer. The cationic group has a volume of 0.25 cm3/mol or greater (for example, a phosphonium group or an imidazolium group).