Inorganic and organometallic polymers– an overview

Abstract

The need for new materials with lower density, higher strength, ability to withstand extremes of temperature and electrical conductivity ranging from semiconductors to superconductivity has stimulated research in polymer science.¹ The polymers chosen for these applications are often organometallic or metal-containing organic polymers. These materials combine the low density and great variety of functional groups and structural variation of organic materials with the ease of achieving multiple oxidation states and electrical conductivity and the high temperature stability characteristic of inorganic compounds. In order to keep abreast of this rapidly expanding field, PMSE, sometimes jointly with the Polymer and Inorganic Divisions of the A.C.S., has sponsored symposia in 1971, 1977, 1979, 1985, 1989, and 1994. The authors of this paper have organized these symposia. A new journal, The Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers, is now completing its eighth year. Our goal in this review is to discuss developments in five areas – Silanes, Germanes and Stannanes, Poly(silsequioxanes), Polyphosphazenes, Metallocene Polymers, and Condensation Polymers and to discuss potential applications of these materials. We are seeking several scientists in these fields from outside of the United States to help us to continue this series of symposia and to support the Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers.