Ruthenium-based metathesis initiators: Development and use in ring-opening metathesis polymerization

For many years, olefin metathesis has been a central topic of industrial and academic research because of its great synthetic utility. The, employed initiators cover a wide range of compounds, from simple transition-metal salts to highly sophisticated and well-defined alkylidene complexes. Currently, ruthenium-based catalysts are at the center of attention because of their remarkable tolerance toward oxygen, moisture, and numerous functionalities. This article focuses on recent developments in the field of ring-opening metathesis polymerization using ruthenium-based catalysts. ruthenium-based initiators and their applications to the preparation of advanced polymeric materials are briefly reviewed. (C) 2002 Wiley Pedodicals, Inc.