Synthetic polymers, modification with

Grafting reactions alter the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer used as a substrate. Grafting differs from normal chemical modification (e.g., functionalization of polymers) in the possibility of tailoring material properties to a specific end use. For example, cellulose derivatization improves various properties of the original cellulose, but these derivatives cannot compete with many of the petrochemically derived synthetic polymers. Thus, in order to provide a better market position for cellulose derivatives, there is little doubt that further chemical modification is required. Accordingly, grafting of vinyl monomers onto cellulose or cellulose derivatives may improve the intrinsic properties of these polymers. 

ADMET is quite possibly the most flexible transition-metal-catalyzed polymerization route known to date. With the introduction of new, functionality-tolerant robust catalysts, the primary limitation of this chemistry involves the synthesis and cost of the diene monomer that is used. ADMET gives the chemist a powerful tool for the synthesis of polymers not easily accessible via other means, and in this chapter, we designate the key elements of ADMET. We detail the synthetic techniques required to perform this reaction and discuss the wide range of properties observed from the variety of polymers that can be synthesized. For example, branched and functionalized polymers produced by this route provide excellent models (after quantitative hydrogenation) for the study of many large-volume commercial copolymers, and the synthesis of reactive carbosilane polymers provides a flexible route to solvent-resistant elastomers with variable properties. Telechelic oligomers can also be made which offer an excellent means for polymer modification or incorporation into block copolymers. All of these examples illustrate the versatility of ADMET. 

The structural varieties of hemicelluloses offer a number of possibilities for specific chemical, physical, and enzymic modifications. Future advancements will be based on the synthesis of hemicellulose-based polymers with new functionalities and with a well-defined and preset primary structure both on the level of the repeating imit and the polymer chain. Hemicelluloses have also started to be attractive to synthetic polymer chemists as... 

While much of the current and near past research has emphasized modification of synthetic polymers, Increasing efforts will undoubtedly focus on the modification of regenerable polymers and the blending of natural polymers and natural polymers with synthetic polymers through block, graft, etc. approaches. 

Reduction is an important method for polymer modification resulting in a variety of useful elastomers and thermoplastics with unique structures and properties. Reduction also offers a convenient synthetic route to polymers with special monomer sequences, which are inaccessible, difficult or too expensive to prepare by conventional polymerization... 

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