Polymer science, emerging areas

Abstract Many similarities between the chemistry of carbon and phosphorus in low coordination numbers (i.e.,CN=l or 2) have been established. In particular, the parallel between the molecular chemistry of the P=C bond in phosphaalkenes and the C=C bond in olefins has attracted considerable attention. An emerging area in this field involves expanding the analogy between P=C and C=C bonds to polymer science. This review provides a background to this new area by describing the relevant synthetic methods for P=C bond formation and known phosphorus-carbon analogies in molecular chemistry. Recent advances in the addition polymerization of phosphaalkenes and the synthesis and properties of Tx-con-jugated poly(p-phenylenephosphaalkene)s will be described. 

The Wiley Series in Polymer Science aims to cover topics in polymer science where significant advances have been made over the past decade. Key features of the series will be developing areas and new frontiers in polymer science and technology. Emerging fields with strong growth potential for the twenty-first century such as nanotechnology, photopolymers, electro-optic polymers etc. will be covered. Additionally, those polymer classes in which important new members have appeared in recent years will be revisited to provide a comprehensive update. 

While both of these areas are the classical realm of Advances in Polymer Science we see the strong emergence of another area in the last 100 Volumes biomedically relevant polymers. This includes synthesis of biocompatible polymers, polymeric drugs, apphcation and evaluation of polymers in the medical field and in bioengineering which are summarized in well over 40 reviews. 

An extremely rich variety of novel architectures, processes, and properties have resulted and may be expected to further emerge from the blending of polymer science with the other areas of materials chemistry and physics, with ongoing developments in chemistry as well as with the investigation of complex molecular behavior in biological sciences. 

The book opens with a historical reflection on the emergence of a scientific discipline known as polymer science. The influence of Herbert Morawetz on my own thinking in this area is significant. In addition, a historical project on "Paradigms in Polymer Science" is currently in progress at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. I am grateful for the award of the Charles C. Price Fellowship in Polymer History that facilitated that work and resulted in the completion of the present volume. 

The study of crystalline polymers closely parallels the development of polymer science itself [2]. In placing the subject in proper perspective, it needs to be understood that there are certain areas that are well developed and interpretations that have been accepted for a long time. There are other areas that have been under intensive study and controversy has existed regarding certain aspects of the problems [3]. However, difficulties in interpretation that existed in these cases have gradually been resolved and a set of unifying concepts is emerging. The guiding principles... 

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