Materials science research polymer synthesis

Since its discovery more than 50 years ago, olefin metathesis has evolved from its origins in binary and ternary mixtures of the Ziegler-Natta type into a research area dominated by well-defined molecular catalysts. Surveys of developments up to 1993 were presented in COMC (1982) and COMC (1995). Major advances in ROMP over the last 10 years include the development of modular, stereoselective group 6 initiators, and easily handled, functional-group tolerant ruthenium initiators. The capacity to tailor polymer functionality, chain length, and microstructure has expanded applications in materials science, to the point where ROMP now constitutes one of the most powerful methods available for the molecular-level design of macromolecular materials. In addition to an excellent and comprehensive text on olefin metathesis, a three-volume handbook s has recently appeared, of which the third volume focuses specifically on applications of metathesis in polymer synthesis. 

S. Richard Turner received his Ph.D. in organic-polymer chemistry from the University of Florida in 1971 and did a year of postdoctoral work at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry in Darmstadt, Federal Republic of Germany. Before joining the Kodak Research Laboratories in 1980, he worked in the Xerox Research Laboratories in Webster, New York, and the Exxon Corporate Research Laboratories in Linden, New Jersey. He is currently a Research Associate in the Polymer Science Laboratories at Kodak. His research interests include synthesis and properties of photoactive polymers, ion-containing polymers, and water-soluble polymers. He has over 80 publications and patents in these areas. He is a member of the executive committee of the Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering of the American Chemical Society, where he currently serves as Program Chairman. 

Today, important developments in this field are foreseen that will further underline the proftosal that intelligent synthesis, combined with profound conceptual considerations and state-of-the-art analyses, can provide access to new dimensions in polymer and materials sciences. Once the most burning fundamental issues have been clarified, the next important targets will be not only to develop the methods for structural variation of 2-D polymers but also to provide access to these materials on a large scale at an aflbrdable price, and with a technology that allows for their continuous production. If the transition is made from academic research to industrial production, 2-D polymers will be able to demonstrate their fiiU potential. 

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