High-density polydicyclopentadiene

Abstract

The invention provides highly cross-linked polydicyclopentadiene matrices and methods for using such matrices to separate components having varying cross-sectional areas.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising contacting a membrane comprising a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentyldiene matrix with a feed solution comprising a) a first component having a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 g mol −1  to about 600 g mol −1  and a cross-sectional area of less than about 0.40 nm 2  and b) a second component having a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 to about 600 grams g mol −1  and a cross-sectional area of greater than about 0.50 nm 2  so that the feed solution is fractionated into a permeate comprising the first component and a retentate enriched in the second component. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds in the highly cross-linked polydicyclopentyldiene matrix is at least about 3:2. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds in the highly cross-linked polydicyclopentyldiene matrix is at least about 4:1. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first component is an organic compound. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first component is a catalyst. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second component is an organic compound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second component is a catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the feed solution comprises an organic solvent. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the feed solution comprises an aprotic organic solvent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the feed solution comprises water. 
     
     
         11 . A method for preparing a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix comprising polymerizing cyclopentadiene in the presence of a catalyst to provide a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds is at least about 3:2. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the catalyst is Grubb's catalyst. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the monomer to catalyst ratio is at least about 4000. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the monomer to catalyst ratio is at less than about 50,000. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds is at least about 7:3. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds is at least about 4:1. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preparing a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix comprising, contacting a starting cyclopentadiene matrix wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds is less than about 3:2 with an organic solvent under conditions which yield the highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds increases to at least about 3:2. 
     
     
         18 . A method for preparing a highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix comprising, a) polymerizing cyclopentadiene in the presence of a catalyst to provide an intermediate polydicyclopentdiene matrix, and b) contacting the intermediate cyclopentadiene matrix with an organic solvent under conditions which yield the highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix wherein the ratio of crosslinked double bonds to uncrosslinked double bonds increases to at least about 3:2. 
     
     
         19 . A highly cross-linked polydicyclopentdiene matrix prepared according to the method of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . A composite membrane comprising a highly crosslinked polydicyclopentyldiene matrix on a porous support backing material.