Synthetic strategies, properties, and applications of unsaturated main-chain metallopolymers prepared by olefin metathesis polymerization

Abstract

Main-chain metallopolymers are synthesized by olefin metathesis polymerizations. These polymers are mainly produced through acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The special metal moieties, metal-binding motifs, and unsaturated macromolecular backbone endow the metallopolymers with unique properties. This review highlights recent advances in studies on the family of main-chain metallopolymers carrying both main-group and transition metals by olefin metathesis polymerizations. We emphasize the synthesis, physiochemical properties, and applications of these polymers. Synthetic strategies are discussed from a perspective of the structure-activity relationship between monomers and polymerization efficiency. The correlations between macromolecular compositions/sequences and emerging properties are highlighted in terms of stimuli-responsiveness, conductivity, and crystalline characteristics. Lastly, we describe the current status of the field and highlight gray areas for future research.