Introduction: Polymerization

The Oxford English Dictionary defines polymer in its broadest sense as “a substance with a molecular structure formed from many identical small molecules bonded together.” Polymers, in their many diverse forms, are the remarkable materials constituting the essential “stuff” from which everything, from living organisms to computer components to common household goods, is formed. In the area of synthetic abiotic organic polymers, the past two decades have witnessed a dramatic explosion in research activity, driven by appreciation for the remarkable properties that synthetic polymers can have and the desire to productively put the creation and understanding of their properties on a firm scientific footing. The ultimate goal is to synthesize …