SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

Abstract: Cholesteric polymer P1 obtainable by a ring-opening metathesis polymerization ("ROMP") of (a) from 10 to 50 mol-% of a monomer with the formula (I): Z(B1)y; (b) from 90 to 50 mol -% of (b1) from 0 to 100 mol -%, related to the sum of the amounts of (b1) and (b2), monomer with the formula (II): Z(B2)y; (b2) from 0-100 mol-%, related to the sum of (b1) and (b2), of a monomer with the formula (III): Z(B3)y; or a strained cyclic olefinic molecule, wherein at least one of the monomers (II) or (III) is present, the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%, three-dimensionally cross-linked cholesteric polymers P2, the corresponding monomers, processes for its preparations, uses and pigment compositions.

Description: - 1 - Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers The present invention relates to a cholesteric polymer P1 obtainable by a ring-opening metathesis polymerization ("ROMP") of strained cyclic olefins. Further, the present invention relates to crosslinked cholesteric polymers, processes for the preparation of the inventive polymers and their use. Schrock et al. describe in Macromolecules 25 (1992) 3609-3616 and 6586-6592 the synthesis and the ring-opening metathesis polymerization ("ROMP") of the norbornene monomer series 5-{[n-[(4'-methoxy-4-biphenylyl)oxy]alkyl]carbonyl}bicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-2-ene (1 -π) with spacer lengths n of 2 to 8 and 9 to 12, resp., methylene units. The synthesized compounds contain an ester group bonded directly to the norbornene unit. Although the obtained polymers are side chain liquid crystalline polymers ("SCLCP"), they are neither crosslinkable nor do they show any cholesteric phases. In addition, the catalyst used is too sensible for industrial use. Schrock et al. describe in Macromolecules 26 (1993) 1393-1401 further SCLCP which differ from those mentioned above as they contain an ether group bonded directly to the norbornene unit. The disclosed SCLCP, too, are not crosslinkable and they do not exhibit any cholesteric phases. US 5,211 ,877 inter alia claims the use of three-dimensionally crosslinked, chiral, liquid crystalline polyorganosiloxanes as pigments. A drawback is the difficulty to control both the molecular weight and the polydispersity of the resulting polymers, unless they are not based on cyclosiloxanes (this is discussed in Macromolecules 25 (1992) p.3609, left col., 2nd paragraph). Another drawback is the laborious synthesis of the pigments. US 5,362,315 claims a pigment whose color depends on the viewing angle. The pigment comprises oriented three-dimensionally support-free substances of liquid-crystalline structure having a chiral phase and, optionally dyes and pigments, wherein said optional dyes and pigments do not serve as a base for the oriented three-dimensionally crosslinked liquid- crystalline substances having a chiral phase. - 2 - WO 95/32247 describes interference pigments based on a SCLCP comprising a nematic and a chiral component. These pigments are synthesized e.g. by a in-situ photopolymerization of a nematic liquid crystalline diacrylate and a cholesteric liquid crystalline diacrylate, or a mixture of corresponding diacrylates and monoacrylates. WO 96/02597 describes a process for printing substrates with a coating or printing agent, in which a mixture of mono- and/or diacrylates are polymerized, whereby at least one component is chiral. WO 96/17901 describes a liquid crystalline material in the form of a cholesteric polymer network, wherein the polymerized material is obtainable by copolymerization of a compound having at least two equal polymerizable functional groups and a chiral polymerizable compound, the latter being a terpenoid. The crosslinking is carried out in-situ. Hence, the object of this invention was to provide side-chain liquid crystalline polymers which are obtainable by a ring-opening metathesis polymerization of strained cyclic rings whereby the inventive compounds and the processes for its preparations should not show the abovementioned drawbacks. Especially, the inventive polymers should be cholesteric, crosslinkable, should show a narrow polydispersity, and the crosslinking of the cholesteric polymers should be carried out easily with regard to a technical and economical process. Accordingly, a cholesteric polymer P1 was found obtainable by a ring-opening metathesis polymerization ("ROMP") of (a) from 10 to 50 mol-% of a monomer with the formula I Z(B,) y I (b) from 90 to 50 mol-% of (b1) from 0 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of the amounts of (b1) and (b2), monomer with the formula II Z(B 2 ) y II (b2) from 0 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of (b1) and (b2), of a monomer with the formula III Z(B 3 ) y III or a strained cyclic olefinic molecule, wherein at least one of the monomers II or III is present, - 3 - the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%, wherein Z stands for A t ^-As-A^As-Aβ-A?-, if y is 1 , or, in case y is 2, for Aι-(A 2 -A 3 -A -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -) 2 Bi stands for a chiral organic group, B 2 stands for an organic crosslinkable group, B 3 stands for an organic, non-chiral, non-crosslinkable group, A T stands for a radical selected from the group consisting of X X IVa IVb Va Vb and Via Vlb including the exo- and the endo-isomers of the radicals IVa, IVb, and Via, and whereby y is 1 in case A t is a monomer selected of IVa, IVb, Va, or Vb, or y is 2 in case A! is one of the biradicals Via or Vlb, and in which X is selected from the group consisting of -CH _-, -O- and -S- A 2 is -CH 2 - or -C(O)- A 3 is -O- or -NH-, or A A 2 -A 3 stands for a radical of the formula VII X VII A 4 is -(CH 2 )χr or -[CH 2 -CH2-O-] X 2-CH 2 -CH 2 -, wherein Xi is an integer from 2 to 20, and x 2 is an integer from 1 to 6, is one of the following radicals -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO-, -CO-NH-, -NH- - 4 - A 6 is Q- A 7 is -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO-, -CO-NH-. Further, a three-dimensionally crosslinked, cholesteric polymer P2, the corresponding monomers, processes for the preparation of the inventive polymers and monomers, and their uses were found. According to the invention on hand, the cholesteric polymer P1 is obtainable by a ROMP- reaction of (a) from 10 to 50, preferred from 20 to 50 mol-% of a monomer with the formula I Z(B,) y I (b) from 90 to 50, preferred from 80 to 50 mol-% of (b1) from 0 to 100, preferred from 20 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of the amounts of (b1) and (b2), monomer with the formula II Z(B 2 ) y II (b2) from 100 to 0, preferred from 80 to 0 mol-%, related to the sum of (b1) and (b2), of a monomer with the formula III Z(B 3 ) y III or a strained cyclic olefinic molecule, wherein at least one of the monomers II or III is present, the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%, wherein Z stands for A^-Aa-A VAe-A?-, if y is 1 , or, in case y is 2, for A 1 -(A 2 -A 3 -A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -) 2 Bi stands for a chiral organic group, B 2 stands for an organic crosslinkable group, B 3 stands for an organic, non-chiral, non-crosslinkable group, Ai stands for a radical selected from the group consisting of - 5 IVa IVb Va Vb and Via Vlb whereby the exo- and the endo-isomers of the radicals IVa, IVb, and Via, where possible, are included, and whereby y is 1 in case A 1 is a monomer selected of IVa, IVb, Va, or Vb, and y is 2 in case A T is one of the biradicals Via or Vlb, and in which X is selected from the group consisting of -CH 2 -, -O- and -S-, preferably, -CH 2 -, A 2 is -CH 2 - or -C(O)-, A 3 is -O- or -NH-, preferably -O-, or Aι-A 2 -A 3 stands for a radical of the formula VII X VII X being preferably -CH _-, A is -(CH 2 )xr or -[C^-C^-O-^-C^-C^-, wherein is an integer from 2 to 20, preferably from 4 to 10 such as 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and x 2 is an integer from 1 to 6 like 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, preferably 1 , 2 or 3, A 5 is one of the following radicals -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO-, -CO-NH-, or -NH- is A 7 is -CO-O-, -O o-CO-, -NH-C-O-, or -CO-NH- 6 - As chiral organic group B^ usually any organic group exhibiting chirality, i.e. a molecule having at least a center of chirality or being intrinsically asymmetric, can be chosen. Such molecules and methods for the synthesis of chiral compounds are well-known in the art and examples can be found in every case-book dealing with organic chemistry. Preferred groups B, are e.g. chiral hydrocarbons such as Y , .. XCHΔ — Me γ x2 with Y being a single bond to A 7 , steroid radicals such as perhydro-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren (gonane), preferably cholestane, particularly preferred cholesteryl radicals, terpenoid radicals such as menthyl or camphor radicals, alkaloid radicals such as quinine, groups which are derived from sugars, binaphthyl- or binaphthyl-derivatives, optically active glycoles, dialcohols or aminoacids. Such compounds are well known to the chemist and e.g. described in WO 96/02597, WO 95/32247. Particularly preferred organic chiral radicals are derivatives of e.g. cholesteryl radicals ("chol"), preferably terpenoid radicals such as methyl or camphor radicals, and alkaloid radicals such as quinine. - 7 - As organic crosslinkable group B 2 , a radical of the formula / -a 21 wherein B 2 ι stands for an unsaturated group, preferably an unsaturated group having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, particularly preferred B 2 ι comprises the vinyl group. E.g. B 2 ι stands preferably for CH 2 =C(H)-C(O)-O-, CH 2 =C(Me)-C(O)-O-, the corresponding amides CH 2 =C(H)-C(O)-NH-, CH 2 =C(Me)-C(O)-NH-, most preferred CH 2 =C(Me)-C(O)-NH-. As organic, non-chiral, non-crosslinkable group B 3) preferably - QXX wherein Ri stands for hydrogen, d-Cio-alkyl, CrCio-alkoxy, CrCio-alkylmercapto, -CN, - NO 2 or halogen, can be used. Cι-C 10 alkyl stands for e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, i-butyl, tert.- butyl, n-amyl, tert.-amyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, preferably for d- C 4 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, i-butyl, tert.-butyl; CrC 10 -alkoxy stands for e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec.-butoxy, i-butoxy, tert.-butoxy, n-amyloxy, tert.-amyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, 2- ethylhexyloxy, nonyloxy, decyloxy, preferably for C r C 4 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, n- propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec.-butoxy, i-butoxy, tert.-butoxy; CrCio-alkylmercapto stands for e.g. methylmercapto, ethylmercapto, n-propylmercapto, isopropylmercapto, n-butylmercapto, sec-butylmercapto, i-butylmercapto, tert.- butylmercapto, n-amylmercapto, tert.-amylmercapto, hexylmercapto, heptylmercapto, octylmercapto, 2-ethylhexylmercapto, nonylmercapto, decylmercapto, preferably for d- C alkyl such as methylmercapto, ethylmercapto, n-propylmercapto, isopropylmercapto, n- butylmercapto, sec-butylmercapto, i-butylmercapto, tert.-butyl; Preferred non-crosslinkable, non-chiral organic groups B 3 are e.g. w // \ - 8 - ln a further preferred embodiment of the present invention strained cyclic olefinic molecules are used as monomer III, whereby strained cyclic olefinic molecules has the meaning within the scope of this invention that all cycloolefines can be used, with the exception of cyclohexene and its derivatives which can not be polymerized by a ring opening metathesis reaction. E.g. strained cyclic olefinic molecules can be monocyclic or polycyclic, bridged or non- bridged ring systems, preferably with two to four rings, which can be unsubstituted or substituted, and which can contain one or more hetero atoms such as O, S, N or Si, in one or more rings, and which can contain condensed aromatic or heteroaromatic rings like o- phenylene, o-naphthylene, o-pyridinylene or o-pyrimidinylene. Preferably the single cyclic rings contain 3 to 16, more preferably from 3 to 12, most preferred 3 to 8 carbon or hetero atoms. The strained cyclic olefinic molecules can contain further non-aromatic double bonds, depending on the size of the ring, preferably between two to four additional double bonds. If the strained cyclic olefinic molecules do contain more than one double bond, e.g. 2 to 4 double bonds, then, usually depending on the chosen conditions of the reaction, the chosen monomer and the amount of the catalyst, three-dimensionally crosslinked polymers can be built. Preferred cycloolefinic molecules are Diels-Alder-adducts of cyclopentadiene such as e.g. J^ whereby, norbornene and dicyclopentadiene are most preferred Such strained cyclic olefinic molecules are commercially available or can be synthesized according to well-known methods. Preferred cholesteric polymers P1 are obtainable by the polymerization of e.g. -9 =r \ O — chol Ar-O— A.-O w /r^ i O H o- A l 2p-O-A, - O w / ^ \ / { O H or OMe =\ O A O 0~~AA 4 _- / w /r^ I O Most preferred cholesteric polymers P1 are obtainable by the polymerization of e.g. y= O — OMe o- 0 . w ^ oH OMe 10 - — chol O — chol 0 OCH 2 ) 6 -0- O o- -(CH 2 2))6-0- O Λ\ / H/ i o- o- • (CH 2 O -). °Λ\ /) i o H H O— yy — N , \ -/ ^ The corresponding inventive monomers I, II and III can be synthesized by methods well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment Z-B^ Z-B 2 and Z-B 3 can be obtained via two routes, if A T is a radical of formula IV (a or b) or V (a or b), and depending on whether A 2 is -CH 2 - or -CO-, and A 3 stands for -O-. The first route, (I), in which A 2 is -CH 2 -, A 5 is -O- and A 7 is -COOH, comprises the following steps: (I) A CH 2 -OH + Hal-A 4 -Hal -> A CH 2 -O-A 4 -Hal (1 ) VIII IX X ArCHz-O-A^Hal + H-A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H — > A CH 2 -O-A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H (2) XI XII A 1 -CH 2 -O-A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H + B,, 2 , 3 OH — > A CHs-OJVAs-Ae-A -B,^ (3) XIII wherein B 1ι , 3 means ^ or B 2 or B 3 . Compound VIII, ArCH 2 -OH, is known or can be prepared by well known methods. E.g., - 11 - if A, stands for the norbornene radical and the bridging group X is -CH 2 -, then this compound, bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-methanol, is known e.g. from Macromolecules 26 (1993) 1393-1401. Usually, one can chose either the endo- or exo-derivative, preferably one choses a ratio endo/exo in the range of 5:1 to 20:1 , more preferably 8:1 to 10:1 , particularly preferred 9:1. If A, stands for the norbornene radical and X is -S- or -O-, then compound VIII can be synthesized according to the following route: O OR X. Ω Corresponding cyclooctene compounds as starting materials are known, e.g. O the first compound is known from Beilstein, ElV, Vol. 9, p.142-143, the second one has the CAS-registration number 13366-81-9. Compound IX, Hal-A 4 -Hal, preferably Hal stands for Cl, Br, or I, e.g. is commercially available from Fluka. Reaction step (l)(1) e.g. can be carried out analogously to the method described in Macromolecules 26 (1993) 1393-1401. Compounds of the formulae XI, H-A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H, are well known in the art, commercially available, like e.g. o-, m-, or p-hydroxy-benzoic acid, and/or can be prepared by known methods. Reaction step (l)(2) is a simple nucleophilic displacement, well known in the art (see e.g. "Methoden der Organischen Chemie", Houben-Weyl, vol. 6/3, chapter "Methods for the preparation and conversion of ethers", 4 th edition, 1965, p.24-32. - 12 - Compounds of the formulae XIII, Bi ,2,3 OH, like B^H and B 2 OH are commercially available, and B 3 OH, e.g. as HO— ^ — N(H)-C(0)-C(Me)=CH 2 is known from e.g. from J.Org.Chem. USSR 4(1968) 802. Reaction step (l)(3) is a usual esterification and can be carried out according to known methods. If compound XII is a carboxylic acid, then it is preferred to build the corresponding acid chloride thereof in a first step, and, in a second step, the acid chloride is reacted with the alcohol XIII to yield the corresponding ester. Such a reaction is well-known to the organic chemist, e.g. such a reaction is described in detail in Methoden der Organischen Chemie, Houben-Weyl, "Carbonsauren und Derivate", E5, 4 th Ed., esp. p. 695-700. Another possibility is to use the so-called "DCC'-method (DCC stands for dicyclohexylcarbodiimide), described in Methoden der Organischen Chemie, Houben-Weyl, "Carbonsauren und Derivate", E5, 4 th Ed., 1985, p. 674 to 676. A second route, (II), to synthesize the starting monomers I, II and III, in which A 1 is a radical of formula IV or V, A 2 is -CO- and A 3 and A 5 stand for -O-, and A 7 stands for -C(O)-O-, comprises the following steps: (II) H-A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H + HO-A 4 -Hal — -> HO-A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H (4) XI XIV XV HO-A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H + A COOH -— > A r COO-A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -H (5) XVI XVII A COO-A 4 -A 5 -A6-A 7 -H + B^.sOH — > ArCOOJVArAe-Ar B^.s (6) Compound XIV, HO-A 4 -Hal, in which Hal preferably stands for Cl, Br, or I is commercially available. Reaction step (H)(4) can be carried out in analogy to the method described in Macromolecules 28 (1995) 806. - 13 - Compounds of formulae XVI, A COOH are commercially available or can be prepared according to known methods. E.g., if Ai stands for the norbornene radical and the bridging group X is -CH 2 -, then this compound, bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylic acid, is commercially available from Aldrich or can be prepared starting from cyclopentadiene with acrylic acid methyl ester yielding the corresponding bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester, which can be hydrolyzed into the carboxylic acid by known methods. Usually, one can chose either the endo- or exo-derivative, preferably one choses a ratio endo/exo in the range of 5:1 to 20:1 , more preferably 8:1 to 10:1 , particularly preferred 9:1. If A T stands for the norbornene radical and the bridging group X is -S- or -O-, then the norbornene derivative can be prepared via a Diels-Alder reaction followed by a hydrolysis step: O /' o Reaction step (H)(5) is a usual esterification and can be carried as described above (compound esterification of compound XII) via an acid chloride or via the DCC-method. Reaction step (H)(6), too, is a usual esterification and can be carried as described above (compound esterification of compound XII) via an acid chloride or via the DCC-method. Compounds of the formula Via and Vlb are also commercially available or can be prepared to well known methods. E.g. 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid is commercially available from Aldrich, the amino derivative is known from Beilstein Elll, vol. 12, p. 213, and the corresponding thiol is registered under CAS 81237-92-5. 14 Preferred monomers of formula VI, especially of formula Via, are e.g. most preferred is the following inventive monomer chol O H 7T N N\ 7 J/ r7 chol Monomers on the basis of compounds Via can be synthesized according to known methods, e.g. via the following route: -COOH ^ + HO-(CH 2 ) 6 -0- -COOR \\ / COOH COCI COOR whereby the acid chloride can be prepared e.g. with thionyl chloride, and the esterification can be carried out e.g. in analogy to the abovementioned possibilities or in the presence of a base such as triethylamine in tetrahydrofurane. The ester can be prepared starting from a compound with the formula XV, which is converted into an ester e.g. with the known thionyl chloride route, whereby the alcohol group is preferably protected during esterification: -15- HO-(CH 2 ) 6 -0—<\ >—COOH * MeC(0)-0-(CH 2 ) 6 )-0—(\ )—COOH XV MeC(0)-0-(CH 2 ) 6 )-0 )>—COOR »- HO-(CH 2 ) 6 -0 <\ COOR Hence, another embodiment of the instant invention relates to inventive monomers Z-B^ Z- B and Z-B 3 . A further embodiment of the instant invention relates to a composition comprising from (a) 10 to 50 mol-% of compound Z(B 1 ) y and (b) from 90 to 50 mol-% of a mixture of (b1 ) from 0 to 100 mol-% of compound Z(B 2 ) y and (b2) from 100 to 0 mol-% Z(B 3 ) y , wherein the mol- percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to three-dimensionally crosslinked cholesteric polymers P2, whereby the inventive cholesteric polymers P1 , in which the amount of Z-B 2 , II, is not 0, are further treated by crosslinking the crosslinkable groups B 2 in a photo polymerization reaction or thermally induced, preferably by a photo polymerization. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention inventive polymers P1 are used, which have been prepared starting with amounts of Z-B T in the range of from 10 to 50, preferably from 20 to 50 mol-%, and 90 to 50, preferably 80 to 50 mol-% of a mixture of from 0 to 100, preferably 20 to 100 mol-% Z-B 2 and 100 to 0, preferably from 80 to 0 mol-% Z-B 3 , y being preferably 1. The polymer properties of the cholesteric polymers P1 usually depend on essentially the chosen educts (monomers), process parameters, and the desired properties. E.g. the molecular weight can be chosen in a range of from 5,000 to 100,000, preferably 10,000- 40,000 g/mol, the polydispersity is - as a rule - low, and preferably is in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0, particularly preferred from 1.1 to 1.5. It is further preferred to chose the T g in the range of 70 to 200, more prefereably from 70 to 150°C. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of the inventive polymers P1 , wherein the polymerized material is obtainable by copolymerization of - 16 - at least two kinds of monomers, wherein one monomer is a chiral compound, characterized in carrying out the copolymerization by a ring opening metathesis polymerization in the presence of a catalyst of (a) from 10 to 50, preferred from 20 to 50 mol-% of a monomer with the formula I Z(B,) y I (b) from 90 to 50, preferred from 80 to 50 mol-% of (b1) from 0 to 100, preferred from 20 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of the amounts of (b1 ) and (b2), monomer with the formula II Z(B 2 ) y II (b2) from 0 to 100, preferred from 80 to 0 mol-%, related to the sum of (b1) and (b2), of a monomer with the formula III Z(B 3 ) y III or a strained cyclic olefinic molecule, wherein at least one of the monomers II or III is present, the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%. Usually the reaction temperature is chosen in the range of from 0 to 10, preferably from 20 to 80°C. Generally, the reaction pressure is chosen in the range of from 80 to 500, preferably from 90 to 200 kPa. Preferably, the reaction time is chosen in the range of from 1 to 24, preferably from 3 to 10 h. As catalysts usually all known catalysts which are able to catalyze a ring opening metathesis reaction can be used. Such polymerization catalysts are well-known e.g. from US 4,426,502, EP-A 348,852, WO 96/20235, WO 93/20111 , WO 96/04289, WO 97/06185. - 17 - Preferred catalysts are described e.g. by Schrock e.g. in Macromolecules 25 (1992) 3609- 3616. Those catalysts are of the type Mo(CHR)(NAr)(O-t-Bu) 2 , Mo(CHR)(NAr)(OC(Me)(CF 3 ) 2 ) 2 (Ar = 2,6-C 6 H 3 -i-Pr 2 , R = t-Bu or CMe 2 Ph). Other preferred catalysts are based on Ruthenium or Osmium such as HaL v Tι Met = CHT, Hal; I wherein Met stands for Ru or Os, Hali and Hal 2 denote independently from each other halogen such as F, Cl, Br or I, Ti and T 2 denote independently from each other for a tertiary phosphine or phosphite, or both together stand for a bitertiary diphosphine or diphosphite, T 3 stands for an organic group such as aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, vinyl, benzyl, or a heteroatom bonded group such as alkoxy, aryloxy, alkenyloxy, alkylthio or arylthio. Mostly preferred catalysts are e.g. CI 2 [P(i-Pr) 3 ] 2 Ru=CHPh, CI 2 [P(cyclohexyl) 3 ] 2 Ru=CHPh, e.g. described in WO 96/04289 and WO 97/06185. Preferably, the mol ratio of catalyst to the total amount of monomers is chosen in the range of from 0.0005 to 0.1 , preferably from 0.01 to 0.04. If desired, the above described processes can be carried out in the presence of a solvent such as - usually depending on the chosen catalyst - halogenated hydrocarbons like methylene chloride, 1 ,1 ,2-trichloroethane, and chloroform, aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and xylenes. Usually the amount of solvent is chosen in the range of from 0.01 mol to 1 mol per 1 liter, preferred 0.08 to 0.12, particularly preferred 0.1 mol/l of the reaction mixture. Another preferred embodiment of this invention relates to the abovementioned processes, whereby at the end of the reaction a catalyst end-capping agent is added to remove the catalyst from the polymer chain. - 18 - Such a catalyst end-capping agent can be either a vinyl compound such as vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl trimethyl silane for the ruthenium based catalysts, or an aldehyde such as benzaldehyde for the molybdenum based catalysts. Such compounds are described e.g. in Organometallics 12 (1993) 759 and J.Am.Chem.Soc 118 (1996), 100. In general, the mol ratio of the catalyst end capping agent to the amount of used catalyst is chosen in the range of from 1 :1 to 1 :1000, preferred from 1 :10 to 1 :100. As a rule the reaction mixture can be worked up in a known manner. Preferably, the polymer is precipitated in a solvent, in which the polymer is not or only partially soluble, such as ethanol or methanol. If desired, chain transfer agents such as terminal alkenes can be added to the reaction mixture. Such agents are known, e.g. from Macromolecules 28 (1995) 500-511 , esp. for molybdenum based catalysts, and from Macromolecules 26 (1993) 4742-4747 for ruthenium based catalysts. Another embodiment of the instant invention relates to a process for the preparation of the crosslinked polymer P2, wherein the inventive cholesteric polymer P1 (wherein the preparation step the amount of component (b1) has been chosen to be greater than zero, is further treated by crosslinking the crosslinkable groups B 2 in a photo polymerization reaction or thermally induced, preferably by a photo polymerization. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric material usually is crosslinked in such a manner that it is applied at a sufficient temperature, depending on the kind of used polymeric material, e.g. - in case of norborneethers and norborneesters are used - of from 0 to 180°C, preferably 20 to 120°C, to a substrate, e.g. made out of a polyester, then oriented by conventional methods, for example, by treating the melt with a doctor blade or by applying electrical or magnetic fields and, subsequently, exposing the whole composition to radiation from a UV lamp. Preferably the polymeric material is crosslinked in the presence of a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, and, if desired, non-mesogenic monomers, and/or a reactive diluter, and/or a chiral dopant. - 19 - Usually, the layer thickness is chosen in the range of from 3 to 24, preferably of from 3 to 6 μm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a photoinitiator is added to the polymeric material (such as the known QUANTACURE ®, or IRGACURE® type photoinitiator types) in an effective amount. The use of such a photoinitiator is described in more detail for example in US 5,211 ,877. The crosslinking can also be carried out by known methods using heat, i.e. thermally induced. As a rule, as polymerization inhibitors dihydroxy benzene, which can be substituted with C C 6 -alkyl or in which one or both hydroxy groups are replaced with an ether group. Such compounds are described e.g. in US 5,211 ,877. Preferred compounds are e.g. hydroquinone, hydroquinone mono methylether, 4-tert.-butyl catechol. If desired, a chiral dopant such as cholesteryl-4-methacryloyloxy-benzoate (see e.g. US 5,211 ,877) can be applied in amounts in the range of from 5 to 40% by weight, related to the amount of polymer P1. If desired, a reactive diluter such as a dimethacrylate, e.g. ethanedioldimethacrylate, diethyleneglycoldimethacrylate, triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate, or hexanedioldimethacrylate can be applied in amounts in the range from 0.1 to 20 % by weight, related to the amount of P1. In case the crosslinking is carried out photochemically, the photoinitiator generally is chosen in an amount in the range of 0.1 to 3% b.w., based on the polymer P1 , the polymerization inhibitor generally is chosen in an amount in the range of from 0.01 to 0.05% b.w., based on the polymer P1 , the amount of diluter generally is chosen in the range of from 0.1 to 20% b.w., based on the polymer P1. Usually, the crosslinking is carried out with UV light having a wavelength in the range of from 200 to 240 nm for a time period generally in the range of from 10 to 60 seconds depending on the chosen power. - 20 - After the crosslinking, the obtained polymer P2 generally is removed mechanically by peeling off the support by known methods, e.g. by guiding the backing over a deflecting roller of small diameter, or using a ultrasonic bath. However, any other method by which the polymerized material can be removed from the backing is also suitable. To obtain flakes, the pigment material usually can be milled in a known manner, for example using a mill, such as an air-jet mill. Particularly preferred crosslinked side-chain liquid crystalline polymers P2 are those comprising as repeating units the following structures 0(CH 2 ) 6 0 // gi 0(CH 2 ) 6 0 / H N J gi 0(CH 2 ) e O — ' hi - 21 - V^^O(CH 2 ) 6 0 '/ _ K hi wherein g1 = 1 - hi , and g1 is usually in the range of from 10 to 90, preferred 20 to 80 mol- %, related to the sum of g1 and hi , and wherein A 2 -A 3 are either an ether group or an ester group. Another embodiment of the present invention is related to the use of the inventive polymers P1 as precursor for the preparation of the inventive compounds P2, whereby P1 is crosslinked by the above described methods. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of the inventive polymer P2 as pigments for coloring high molecular weight organic materials, e.g. biopolymers, plastic materials, including fibres, glasses, ceramic products, for formulations in decorative cosmetics, for the preparation of inks, printing inks, paint systems, in particular automotive paints and dispersion colors. Illustrative examples of suitable organic materials of high molecular weight which can be colored with the inventive polymer P2 of this invention are vinyl polymers, for example polystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, poly-p-methylstyrene, poly-p-hydroxystyrene, poly-p-hydroxy- phenylstyrene, polymethyl methacrylate and polyacrylamide as well as the corresponding methacrylic compounds, polymethylmaleate, polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl vinyl ether and polybutyl vinyl ether; polymers which are derived from maleinimide and/or maleic anhydride, such as copolymers of maleic anhydride with styrene; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; ABS; ASA; polyamides; polyimides; polyamidimides; polysulfones; polyether sulfones; polyphenylene oxides; polyurethanes; polyureas; polycarbonates; polyarylenes; polyarylene sulfides; polyepoxides; polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyalkadienes; biopolymers and the derivatives thereof e.g. cellulose, cellulose ethers and esters such as ethylcellulose, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose butyrate, starch, chitin, chitosan, gelatine, zein; natural resins; synthetic resins such as alkyd resins, acrylic resins, phenolic resins, epoxide resins, aminoformaldehyde resins - 22 - such as urea/formaldehyde resins and melamine/formaldehyde resin; vulcanized rubber; casein; silicone and silicone resins; rubber, chlorinated rubber; and also polymers which are used, for example, as binders in paint systems, such as novolaks which are derived from d- C 6 -aldehydes such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde and a binucluear or mononuclear, preferably mononuclear, phenol which, if desired, is substituted by one or two CrC 9 alkyl groups, one or two halogen atoms or one phenyl ring, such as o-, m- or p-cresol, xylene, p- tert-butylphenol, o-, m- or p-nonylphenol, p-chlorophenol or p-phenylphenol, or a compound having more than one phenolic group such as resorcinol, bis(4-hydroxyphenyI)methane or 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane; as well as suitable mixtures of said materials. Particularly preferred high molecular weight organic materials, in particular for the preparation of a paint system, a printing ink or ink, are, for example, cellulose ethers and esters, e.g. ethylcellulose, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate and cellulose butyrate, natural resins or synthetic resins (polymerization or condensation resins) such as aminoplasts, in particular urea/formaldehyde and melamine/formaldehyde resins, alkyd resins, phenolic plastics, polycarbonates, polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyester, ABS, ASA, polyphenylene oxides, vulcanized rubber, casein, silicone and silicone resins as well as their possible mixtures with one another. It is also possible to use high molecular weight organic materials in dissolved form as film formers, for example boiled linseed oil, nitrocellulose, alkyd resins, phenolic resins, melamine/formaldehyde and urea/formaldehyde resins as well as acrylic resins. Said high molecular weight organic compounds may be obtained singly or in admixture, for example in the form of granules, plastic materials, melts or in the form of solutions, in particular for the preparation of spinning solutions, paint systems, coating materials, inks or printing inks. In a particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, the novel inventive polymer P2 are used for the mass coloration of polyvinyl chloride, polyamides and, especially, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene as well as for the preparation of paint systems, including powder coatings, inks, printing inks and coating colors. - 23 - lllustrative examples of preferred binders for paint systems are alkyd/melamine resin paints, acryl/melamine resin paints, cellulose acetate/cellulose butyrate paints and two-pack system lacquers based on acrylic resins which are crosslinkable with polyisocyanate. According to observations made to date, the novel inventive polymer P2 can be added in any desired amount to the material to be colored, depending on the end use requirements. In the case of high molecular weight organic materials, for example, the pigments composed according to this invention can be used in an amount in the range from 0.01 to 40, preferably from 0.1 to 20 % by weight, based on the total weight of the colored high molecular weight organic material. Hence, another embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition comprising (a) 0.01 to 40, preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of (a) and (b), of inventive polymer P2, and (b) 99.99 to 60, preferably 99.9 to 80% by weight, based on the total amount of (a) and (b) of a high molecular organic material, and (c) if desired, customary additives such as fillers, paint auxiliaries, siccatives, plasticizers, UV-stabilizers, and/or additional pigments in effective amounts such as from 0.01 to 40, based on the total amount of (a) and (b). The pigmenting of the high molecular weight organic materials with the novel inventive polymer P2 is usually effected by incorporating said novel inventive polymer P2, if desired in the form of masterbatches, in the high molecular weight organic materials using customary apparatus suitable to this end, such as extruders, roll mills, mixing or milling apparatus. The material thus treated is then normally brought into the desired final form by methods which are known per se, such as calendering, molding, extrusion molding, coating, casting, extruding, or by injection molding. To produce non-brittle moldings or to diminish their brittleness, so-called plasticizers can be added to the high molecular weight substances prior to molding. Plasticizers may be, for example, esters of phosphoric acid, phthalic acid and sebacic acid. Said plasticizers may be added before, during or after pigmenting the high molecular weight substances with the inventive polymer P2 of this invention. - 24 - To obtain different shades, the novel inventive polymer P2 may advantageously be used in admixture with fillers, transparent and opaque white, colored and/or black pigments as well as customary luster pigments in the desired amount. For the preparation of paints systems, coating materials, inks and printing inks, the corresponding high molecular weight organic substances, such as binders, synthetic resin dispersions etc. and the novel inventive polymer P2 are usually dispersed or dissolved together, if desired together with customary additives such as fillers, paint auxiliaries, siccatives, plasticizers and/or additional pigments, in a common solvent or mixture of solvents. This can be achieved by dispersing or dissolving the individual components by themselves, or also several components together, and only then bringing all components together, or by adding everything together at once. For application in printing, all customary industrial printing processes can be employed, such as screen printing, rotogravure, bronze printing, flexographic printing and offset printing. The inventive polymers P1 have the advantage that they exhibit a very narrow polydispersity. Examples The starting material used are derivatives of norbornene with an endo-exo ratio of 9:1. The norbornenes are synthesized using usual synthetic methods starting from Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept- 5-ene-2 carboxylic acid methyl ester (obtained by Diels-Alder of cyclopentadiene with acrylic acid methyl ester). Polymers are characterized by their GPC (showing less than 3% of monomers) and by elemental analysis. CI 2 [P(iPr)] 2 Ru=CHPh is synthesized according to J. Am. Chem. Soc 118 (1996) 100-110. (A) Cholesteric polymer of the type P1 , based on norbornene-ester Example 1 : 45.4 g (0.22 mol) of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ("DCC") are added to a suspension of 30.4 g (0.22 mol) of bicyclo-[2.2.1]-hept-5-ene 2-carboxylic acid, 30.4g (0.22 mol) of 4-[6-(hydroxyhexyl)oxy] benzoic acid (as described in Macromolecules 1995, 28, - 25 - 806) and 2.7 g (0.022 mol) dimethylaminopyridine ("DMAP") in 550 ml CH 2 CI 2 . The mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature ("r.t.") under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The precipitated urea is filtered off and the resulting clear solution is extracted with a 5% b.w. aqueous solution of NaHCO 3 . The aqueous phase is then acidified with cone HCI and the precipitated product is filtered, washed with water and dried. 48.9 g (68.2%) of white powder are obtained. Analysis: C H calc 70.37 7.31 exp. 70.36 7.47 Example 2: 5.23 g (0.044 mol) of thionyl chloride is added dropwise to a suspension of 14.34 g (0.04 mol) of the product obtained in example 1 in 50 ml of dried tetrahydrofurane ('THF') at r. t. The mixture is then heated to 50°C for 2 hours, at which point gas evolution has ceased. This crude mixture is added to a solution of 7.08 g (0.04 mol) 4-methacryloyl- amino-Dhenol (obtained by reaction of 4-aminophenol with methacryloyl anhydride according to J. Org. Chem. USSR 4 (1968) p. 802) and 8.9 g (0.088 mol) of triethylamine in 100 ml THF at 0°C. The reaction mixture is then heated at 55°C for 1.5 hours under an atmosphere of nitrogen. It is then poured on 1000 ml iced water. The precipitate is filtered, washed with water and dried. Recrystallization from EtOH affords 15.2 g (73%) of a white powder. Analysis: C H N calc. 71.93 6.82 2.71 exp. 71.83 6.92 2.83 Example 3: 4.54 g (0.022 mol) of DCC are added to a suspension of 7.17 g (0.02 mol) of the product obtained in example 1 , 7.73 g (0.02 mol) of cholesterol and 0.27 g (0.0022 mol) DMAP in 100 ml CH 2 CI 2 . The mixture is stirred overnight at r. t. under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The precipitated urea is filtered off and the resulting clear solution is washed with a 5% b.w. aqueous solution of NaHCO 3 , then with 0.1 N HCI, followed by again a 5% b.w. aqueous solution of NaHCO 3 , and finally with a saturated aqueous solution of NaCI. After drying over MgSO 4 the solvent is removed under a reduced atmosphere. The crude product is recrystallized from EtOH to give 5.93 g (41 %) of a white powder. Analysis: C H calc. 79.29 9.70 exp. 79.25 9.83 - 26 - Example 4: 93 mg (0.16 mmol) of CI 2 [P(iPr)] 2 Ru=CHPh is added to a rapidly stirred solution of 2.91 g (4 mmol) of the product obtained in example 3 and 2.07 g (4mmol) of the product obtained in example 2 in 80 ml dried CH 2 CI 2 , and the mixture is stirred at r. t. for 6.5 hours under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Then 3 drops of ethylvinyl ether are added. After an additional 30 minutes, the solution is added dropwise to 1.2 liter of cold EtOH in a mixer. The precipitated polymer is filtered, washed with EtOH and dried in vacuo. 4.35 g (88%) of a white polymer are obtained. GPC: M n = 33104 g/mol M w = 40199 g/mol PDI = 1.21 Analysis: C H N calc. 76.23 8.50 1.12 exp. 75.99 8.64 0.85 Thermotropic behaviour (determined using DSC and microscope): 90°C (T g ), 110°C - 170°C cholesteric phase, 170°C isotropic (B) Cholesteric polymer of the type P1 , based on a norbornene-ether Example 5: 4.14 g (0.03 mol) of 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid are added to a solution of 3.7 g (0.066 mol) of KOH and 10 mg crystals of Kl in EtOH (60ml) and water (6ml). 9.41 g (0.033 mol) of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-en-5-yl)methyl 6-bromohexyl ether (CA:151889-75-7) are added dropwise to this solution at r. t. and thereafter the mixture is heated at 75°C for 6 h. The mixture is poured on 500 ml of iced water. After acidification with 1 N HCI the precipitated product is filtered, washed with water and dried. The obtained crude product is dissolved in an aqueous solution of NaHCO 3 (5% b.w.) and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The separated aqueous phase is acidified with 10% aqueous HCI and the precipitated product is filtered, washed with water and dried. 6.11 g (59%) of a white powder are obtained. Analysis: C H calc. 73.23 8.19 exp. 72.92 8.08 Example 6: 2.27 g (0.011 mol) of DCC are added to a suspension of 3.44 g (0.01 mol) of the product obtained in example 5, 4.25 g (0.011 mol) of cholesterol and 0.13 g (0.0011 mol) of DMAP in 60 ml dried CH 2 CI 2 . The mixture is stirred overnight at r. t. under an atmosphere of - 27 - nitrogen. The precipitated urea is filtered off and the resulting clear solution is washed with an aqueous 5% b.w. solution of NaHCO 3 , then with 0.1 N HCI, and afterwards with an aqueous 5% b.w. solution of NaHCO 3 , and finally with a saturated aqueous solution of NaCI. After drying over MgSO 4 the solvent is removed under an atmosphere with a reduced pressure. The crude product is recrystallized from a mixture of EtOH and EtOAc (1 :1 v/v) to give 4.7 g (66%) of a white powder. Analysis: C H calc. 80.85 10.18 exp. 80.88 10.18 Example 7: Example 6 is repeated with the exception that 4-methacryloylamino-phenol (4-Ph-N(H)-C(O)-C(Me)=CH 2 ) is used instead of cholesterol. Further, the crude product is recrystallized from a mixture of EtOH and water (2:1 v/v) to give a white powder in 60% yield. Analysis: C H N calc. 73.93 7.41 2.78 exp. 73.27 7.40 2.83 Example 8: 23 mg (0.04 mmol) of CI 2 [P(iPr)] 2 Ru=CHPh is added to a rapidly stirred solution of 0.71 g (1 mmol) of the product obtained in example 6 and 0.50 g (1 mmol) of the product obtained in example 7 in 20 ml dried CH 2 CI 2 , and the mixture is stirred at r. t. for 5.5 hours under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Then 3 drops of ethylvinyl ether are added. After 30 minutes, the obtained solution is added dropwise to 345 ml of cold EtOH stirred in a mixer. The precipitated polymer is filtered, washed with EtOH and dried in vacuo. 1.08 g (89%) of a white polymer are obtained. GPC: M n = 23607 g/mol M w = 29979 g/mol PDI = 1.27 GPC analyses shows less than 3% of monomers. Analysis: C H N calc. 77.99 9.03 1.15 exp. 77.67 9.00 1.29 Thermotropic behaviour (determined using DSC and a microscope): 90°C (T g ), 110 - 175°C cholesteric phase, 175°C isotropic. - 28 - (C) Crosslinked, cholesteric polymer of the inventive type P2 Example 9: A mixture of 1g of the product obtained in example 4, 0.2 g of cholesterol 4- methacryloyloxy-benzoate, 0.1 g hexanediol dimethacrylate, 0.03 g of 2-methyl-1-(4- (methylthio)phenyl)-2-morpholino-propanone-1 (e.g. commercially available as IRGACURE®907, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), 0.005 g isopropenylthioxanthone (e.g. commercially available as QUANTACURE®ITX, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.) and 500 ppm (related to the amount of polymer P1) p-tert butyl catechol is dissolved in 20 ml dichloromethane and then evaporated. The obtained homogeneous mixture is heated to 110°C giving a viscous liquid crystal. Then the liquid crystalline mixture is knife-coated on a polyester sheet maintained at the same temperature, in layer thickness of 6 μm. This layer is then irradiated for 30 seconds with UV-light and thus crosslinked three-dimensionally. The material is removed mechanically by peeling off from the support using an ultrasonic bath. Milling of the material is then carried out in a air-jet mill. Example 10: Example 9 is repeated with the difference, that 1 g of the product obtained in example 8 is used.

Claims: - 29 Claims 1. Cholesteric polymer P1 , obtainable by a ring-opening metathesis polymerization ("ROMP") of (a) from 10 to 50 mol-% of a monomer with the formula I Z(B,) y I (b) from 90 to 50 mol-% of (b1) from 0 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of the amounts of (b1 ) and (b2), monomer with the formula II Z(B 2 ) y II (b2) from 0 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of (b1) and (b2), of a monomer with the formula III Z(B 3 ) y III or a strained cyclic olefinic molecule, wherein at least one of the monomers II or III is present, the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%, wherein Z stands for A 1 -A 2 -A 3 -A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A -, if y is 1 , or, in case y is 2, for A 1 -(A 2 -A 3 -A 4 -A 5 -A 6 -A 7 -) 2 Bi stands for a chiral organic group, B 2 stands for an organic crosslinkable group, B 3 stands for an organic, non-chiral, non-crosslinkable group, A T stands for a radical selected from the group consisting of X X IVa IVb Va Vb and Via Vlb whereby the exo- and the endo-isomers of the radicals IVa, IVb, and Via are - 30 - included, and whereby y is 1 in case Ai is a monomer selected of IVa, IVb, Va, or Vb, or y is 2 in case A- is one of the biradicals Via or Vlb, and in which X is selected from the group consisting of -CH 2 -, -O- and -S- A 2 is -CH 2 - or -C(O)- A 3 is -O- or -NH-, or A A 2 -A 3 stands for a radical of the formula VII X ^ VII O is -(CH 2 ) x1 - or -[CH 2 -CH 2 -O-]χ 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -, wherein x^ is an integer from 2 to 20, and x 2 is an integer from 1 to 6, is one of the following radicals -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO-, -CO-NH-, -NH- is A 7 is -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO-, -CO-NH-. 2. Three-dimensionally crosslinked and cholesteric polymer P2, whereby the crosslinkable, chiral polymer P1 as defined in claim 1 is further treated by crosslinking the crosslinkable groups B 2 in a photo polymerization reaction or thermally induced. 3. Compound Z(Bi) y as defined in claim 1. 4. Compound Z(B 2 ) y as defined in claim 1. 5. Compound Z(B 3 ) y as defined in claim 1. 6. Composition comprising from (a) 10 to 50 mol-% of compound Z(B ! ) y as defined in claim land (b) from 90 to 50 mol-% of a mixture of (b1) from 0 to 100 mol-% of compound Z(B 2 ) y as defined in claim 1 and (b2) from 100 to 0 mol-% Z(B 3 ) y as defined in claim 1 , wherein the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%. - 31 - 7.Process for the preparation of polymer P1 according to claim 1 , wherein the polymerized material is obtainable by copolymerization of at least two kinds of monomers, wherein one monomer is a chiral compound, characterized in carrying out the copolymerization by a ring opening metathesis polymerization in the presence of a catalyst of (a) from 10 to 50 mol-% of a monomer with the formula I Z(B,) y I (b) from 90 to 50 mol-% of (b1 ) from 0 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of the amounts of (b1) and (b2), monomer with the formula II Z(B 2 ) y II (b2) from 0 to 100 mol-%, related to the sum of (b1) and (b2), of a monomer with the formula III Z(B 3 ) y III or a strained cyclic olefinic molecule, wherein at least one of the monomers II or III is present, the mol-percentages of (a) and (b), and (b1) and (b2), resp., summing up to 100 mol-%, Z(B 1 ) y , Z(B 2 ) y , and Z(B 3 ) y being defined as in claim 1. 8. Process for the preparation of crosslinked polymer P2 as defined in claim 2, characterized in treating cholesteric polymer P1 as defined in claim 1 by crosslinking the crosslinkable groups B 2 in a photo polymerization reaction or thermally induced. 9. Use of polymer P2 as defined in claims 1 and 2 as pigments for coloring high molecular weight organic materials, glasses, ceramic products, for formulations in decorative cosmetics, for the preparation of inks, printing inks, paint systems, in particular automotive paints and dispersion colors. 10. Composition comprising (a) 0.01 to 40% by weight, based on the total amount of (a) and (b), of polymer P2 according to claim 2, and (b) 99.99 to 60% by weight, based on the total amount of (a) and (b) of a high molecular organic material, and (c) if desired, customary additives such as fillers, paint auxiliaries, siccatives, plasticizers, UV-stabilizers, and/or additional pigments in effective amounts.

Inventors: PASQUIER CECILE, VAN DER SCHAAF PAUL ADRIAAN, PASQUIER, CECILE, VAN DER SCHAAF, PAUL, ADRIAAN
Applicants: CIBA GEIGY AG, CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS HOLDING INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C08G61
IPC codes: C08G61, C09B67