New frontiers in polymer synthesis

Más información sobre el libro

A new material is often developed through innovative synthesis methods or catalysts, exemplified by the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, which enabled large-scale production of petroleum-based polyolefins since the mid-20th century. Advances in polymer synthesis are expected to lead to novel materials in the 21st century. This special issue, contributed by three groups, highlights recent advancements in polymer synthesis methods that reflect cutting-edge technology. The first article by Yokozawa and colleagues provides an overview of reaction control in various condensation polymerizations. Advanced technologies have facilitated the control of stereochemistry (including regio-, geometrical-, and enantio-selections), chemoselectivity, chain topology, and monomer stoichiometry, resulting in high molecular weight polymers. However, controlling the reaction pathway in polycondensation has historically been challenging due to the step-growth nature of the reaction, where the reactivity of monomers, oligomers, and polymers is similar. This similarity complicates the regulation of polymer molecular weight and distribution. The authors' group has developed a new reaction system, chain-growth condensation polymerization, which transforms polycondensation from step-growth to chain-growth, allowing for active control of the product's molecular weight and distribution.