A new carbazole-functionalized norbornene derivative, 5-(N-carbazolyl methylene)-2-norbomene (CbzNB), was polymerized via Living ring-opening metathesis polymerization with (Cl2Ru(CHPh)[P(C6H11)(3)](2)}. The structure of the poly(CbzNB) was analyzed by NMR, IR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The resulting polymer was of high molecular weight and had a reasonably narrow molecular weight distribution ((M) over bar(n) = 320 000. PDI = 1.28). Block copolymer of the CbzNB and a trimethylsilyl-protected alcohol-functionalized norbornene derivative was also synthesized by ROMP techniques. Glass transition temperature (T-g) of poly(CbzNB) is 160 degrees C. The 10% decomposition temperature of poly(CbzNB) is 410 degrees C. Saturation of the main-chain double bonds of poly(CbzNB) increases the thermal stability of the polymer but decreases the T-g of polymer. Microphase separation and selective reaction of the alcohol-functionalized domains with dimethyl cadmium were observed by transmission electron microscopy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.