Ring-Opening Polymerization

Abstract

Ring-opening polymerization is one of the most important strategies for synthesis of networked polymers. Its characteristics, (1) applicability to synthesis of polymers with main chains containing heteroatoms and functional groups, (2) tunability of polymerization behaviors by structural parameters of cyclic monomers such as ring size and elements which cyclic monomers are consisted of, (3) possibility to control their polymerizations by living polymerization techniques, (4) equilibrium nature, and (5) small volume shrinkages upon polymerizations, have allowed for the development of networked polymers with various functions and high performances. This review describes some typical examples of molecular designs of networked polymers based on the characteristics of ring-opening polymerization and their future prospects.