@article{77f59a33f324458aa1012118346d083a,
title = "Recent Trends in Catalytic Polymerizations",
abstract = "Polymers have become one of the largest and most important materials we use in daily life. Their popularity has stemmed from their wide range of material properties combined with their low cost of production. Both of these attractive traits have in part been enabled by the development of catalytic polymerizations, which provide both high levels of control while also delivering high levels of productivity. In this Perspective, we highlight recent trends and achievements made in the growing field of catalytic polymerizations.",
keywords = "catalysis, insertion polymerizations, ionic polymerizations, metathesis, polymer, polymerization, radical polymerizations, ring opening polymerizations",
author = "Walsh, {Dylan J.} and Hyatt, {Michael G.} and Miller, {Susannah A.} and Damien Guironnet",
note = "Funding Information: Decades of research into catalytic polymerizations have enabled the production of polymers at a scale that has transformed modern society. This article captures the recent advances across the entire field of catalytic polymerizations. In general, the past two decades have seen the progression toward the synthesis of more and more complex polymers with higher levels of control over molecular weights, chemical composition, and topology. These higher precision polymers have facilitated the development of fundamental structure function relationships, thus accelerating the engineering of materials. Catalytic polymerizations will undoubtedly remain at the core of polymer research as we attempt to synthesize macromolecules with the precision achieved for small molecules; however, broader challenges remain for polymers. Perhaps the most pressing of these challenges is the accumulation of plastics in the environment. Further catalyst development has the potential to play a key role in alleviating this societal issue by enabling the synthesis of biodegradable polymers, producing more robust polymers with higher recyclability, and/or synthesizing new polymeric compatibilizers to reduce the need for sorting plastics for recycling. Additionally, the continued development of polymerization catalysts for biobased polymers could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and further mitigate the impact on the environment. Alternatively, catalytic depolymerization or upcycling of polymers into higher value materials by catalytic postpolymerization functionalization are also promising approaches to address environmental issues. However, for any of these proposed solutions, a total life cycle analysis will be an important step for ensuring a positive environmental impact. Finally, concerns about the residual catalyst in polymers remains a topic of conversation. Not only the toxicity associated with the use of transition metals but also residual catalyst (organic or organometallics) can accelerate undesirable polymer degradation during its processing. This can ultimately limit its application and reduces the recyclability of polymers, which further incentivizes the community to seek exceptionally productive catalysts. Given the incredible progression of the field, catalytic polymerizations will undoubtedly keep providing sustainable solutions to societal needs. The authors thank the NSF DMR 17-27605, NSF CHE 18-00068, and NSF CBET 17-06911 for funding. We also acknowledge Dow for funding through the University Partnership Initiative. The authors declare no competing financial interest. Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2019 American Chemical Society.",
year = "2019",
month = dec,
day = "6",
doi = "10.1021/acscatal.9b03226",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "9",
pages = "11153--11188",
journal = "ACS Catalysis",
issn = "2155-5435",
publisher = "American Chemical Society",
number = "12",
}