CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF POLYMERS .1. APPLICATIONS AND SYNTHETIC STRATEGIES

This paper does not claim to be an exhaustive review of chemical modification but rather aims to illustrate with some examples the vast possibilities offered by this method of synthesis. Grafting and crosslinking reactions as such, which lie outside the present concept of chemical modification (defined as the application of macromolecules in the traditional reactions of organic chemistry) as well as reactions in heterogeneous media do not form part of this review. Five aspects of main interest are: • -synthesis of copolymers not accessible by classical means, • -comparison of polymer modification and polymerization of functional monomers, • -aids to the analysis of polymer microstructures, • -introduction of reactive sites along a polymer chain, • -fixation of active molecules. Chemical modification of polymers is generally undertaken to synthesize polymers for well defined applications as can be seen in the case of supported catalysts and reagents, phase transfer catalysts, supported syntheses, and pharmacological use. The synthetic strategies will be described in more detail in Part II (fixation of acids on a polymeric chain). Part III will emphasize the kinetic aspects of the chemical modification of polymers and Part IV will deal with complex reactions. © 1990.