ADVANCED POLYMERIZATION METHODS

A model-free method for the analysis of lattice distortions is readily established from Eq. (8.13). It is an extension of Stokes [27] method for deconvolution and has been devised by Warren and Averbach [28,29] (textbooks Warren [97], Sect. 13.4 Guinier [6], p. 241-249 Alexander [7], Chap. 7). For the application to common soft matter it is of moderate value only, because the required accuracy of beam profile measurement is rarely achievable. On the other hand, for application to advanced polymeric materials its applicability has been demonstrated [109], although the classical graphical method suffers from extensive approximations that reduce its value for the typical polymer with small crystal sizes and stronger distortions. 

Every polymerization method is limited to a certain type and number of monomers, thus preventing the possibility to synthesize block copolymers with a wide combination of monomers. However, recent advances in polymer synthesis enabled the switching of the polymerization mechanism from one type to another, thereby permitting the preparation of block copolymers composed of monomers that can be polymerized by different techniques. 

The surprising discovery that small oligo-P-peptides exhibit extraordinary tendencies to form stable secondary structures has led to rapid developments in the chemistry of these peptides. The earliest work in the field revolved around the synthesis of P-peptide polymers (the so-called nylon-3 derivatives). 2 Polymerization of P-amino acids led to polymers of undefined length. It was noted they could form stable structures but it proved impossible to gain any concrete information about the nature of those structures at that time. The developments in the synthesis of P-peptide oligomers of predefined length and advances in methods (i.e., NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography) for the 3D characterization of such compounds has led to the discovery of new helical structures found to be adopted by a variety of P-peptides. I1,3-7 ... 

Asymmetric polymerization is an expanding field of polymer synthesis various novel methods of synthesis are currently being developed and even wider varieties of polymer structures and polymerization methods are expected to be devised in the future. Advance in this field would take place most effectively when we take advantage of the progress in the field of asymmetric organic synthesis. 

During the two decades after this important discovery, a tremendous amount of research has been directed toward the polymerization of sterically demanding achiral monomers with chiral initiators to create enantiomerically pure helical polymers (also known as helix-sense selective or screw-sense-selective polymerization ). These polymers, known as atropisomers, are stable conformational isomers that arise from restricted rotation about the single bonds of their main chains. Key aspects of these reactions are enantiopure initiators that begin the polymerization with a one-handed helical twist, and monomers with bulky side-chains that can maintain the helical conformation due to steric repulsion. Notable examples of this fascinating class of polymers that are configurationally achiral but conformationally chiral include [8, 38, 39] poly(trityl methacrylate), polychloral, polyisocyanates, and polyisocyanides. Important advances in anionic and metal-based enantioselective polymerization methods have been reported in recent years. 

Dense carbon dioxide represents an excellent alternative reaction medium for a variety of polymerization processes. Numerous studies have confirmed that CO2 is a potential solvent for many chain growth polymerization methods, including free-radical, cationic, and ring-opening metathesis polymerizations. Carbon dioxide has also been demonstrated to be an effective solvent for step-growth polymerization techniques. Advances in the design and synthesis of surfactants for use in CO2 will allow compressed CO2 to be utilized for a wide variety of polymerization systems. These advances may enable carbon dioxide to replace hazardous VOCs and CFCs in many industrial applications, making CO2 an enviromentally responsible solvent of choice for the polymer industry. 

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