Transition metal-based polymer chemistry: a critical micro-review

Abstract

This micro-review summarizes mainly recent (i.e. mostly later than 1995) and important developments in transition metal-catalyzed polymerization and their impact on polymer synthesis. It is not intended to be entirely comprehensive, yet will focus on significant improvements or interesting aspects in certain areas of polymer chemistry. For this particular reason, not all transition metal-based polymerizations will be fully covered. Instead, besides providing a 'snapshot' of the state of the art, it was a major intention to outline the main advantages and disadvantages of certain important polymerizations in a critical, yet hopefully objective way.

Keywords:

• transition metals
• polymerizations
• lanthanides
• polar monomers
• isocyanates
• metathesis
• atrp.