The applicability of ruthenium alkylidenes as initiators in the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of methoxyphenyl group containing norbornene derivatives has been investigated. The synthesis and polymerization of exo-N-4-methoxyphenyl-oxanorbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (MeOPhONDI) and exo-N-4-methoxyphenyl-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (MeOPhNDI) are reported. Polynorbornene derivatives were obtained via ROMP using first- and second-generation ruthenium alkylidene initiators. The structural properties of the polynorbornene derivatives were analyzed by NMR, DSC and GPC. Analyses of the polymer microstructures indicate that polymers contain trans stereoconfiguration of the double bonds (55-86% trans-content). The glass transition temperatures of the polymers obtained from exo-monomers are higher than 211 degrees C. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.