Polymeric Materials
Year 2
Option Module
Inorganic polymer chemistry
(RED)
, Learning Objectives
By the end of this course you should:
i) understand the structural and electronic features of metal complexes that lead to
polymerisation
ii) be able to describe the mechanism of metal-catalysed Ziegler-Natta and ring opening
polymerisations of alkenes
iii) understand the terms atactic, isotactic and syndiotactic.
iv) understand basic relationships between polymer and metallocene complex structure
for Ziegler-Natta catalysis
v) understand the possible polymer structures from ROMP
vi) understand the difference between enantiomorphic site control and chain end control
for stereospecific polymerisation.
vii) understand the structures of common inorganic polymers, their preparation and
applications.
viii) understand the concept of charge transfer complexes.
vix) describe the key structural and electronic features of charge transfer complexes that
give rise to magnetic behaviour.
vx) understand how simple coordination polymer structures that can be built from
combinations of metal ions and organic linkers
vxi) briefly describe uses of coordination polymers
Bibliography
‘Polymers’, D. Walton and P. Lorimer, 2001, Oxford Chemistry Primers
‘Metallocenes-An introduction to sandwich complexes’, N. J. Long, 1998, Blackwell Science
‘Advances in Non-Metallocene Olefin Polymerization Catalysis’, V. C. Gibson and S. T.
Spitzmesser, Chem. Rev. 2003, 103, 283-315.
Polymer science with transition metals, I. Manners, J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem., 2002,
40, 179-191.
‘Inorganic Polymers’, J. E. Mark, H. R. Allcock and R. West, 1992, Prentice Hall.
‘Organometallic Magnets’ J. S. Miller and A. J. Epstein, Coord. Chem. Rev., 2000, 206-207,
651-660.
‘Metal-organic frameworks’, S. L. James, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2003, 32, 276-288
‘Engineering coordination polymers towards applications’, C. Janiak, Dalton Trans., 2003,
2781-2804.
Related Courses
Transition metals (AKDK) year 1
Alkene and alkynes (RJKT) year 1
Macromolecules (DKS) year 1
Metal-ligand and metal-metal bonding (RED) year 2
Organometallic chemistry (JML) year 2
Inorganic reaction mechanisms (SBD) year 2
Radicals in synthesis (AFP) year 3
Supramolecular chemistry (DKS) year 3
Inorganic materials chemistry (RED) year 3
Solid state chemistry (KW) year 3
2
, Introduction
Polymers are ubiquitous; from the natural world (DNA, proteins, natural rubber,
cellulose, silk) to man made (Nylon, polyethylene, polyvinylcholride, superglue
etc.)
Metal complexes are of interest in polymerisation because:
1. They can catalyse polymerisation
2. Control polymer chain length and structure
3. Polymers containing metals can have useful properties (magnetic, electrical,
optical, catalytic)
The topics this course will cover
1. The synthesis and mechanism of organic polymers using metal complex
catalysts:
Ziegler- Natta catalysis: used to prepare polyethylene and polypropylene.
millions of tons a year.
Ring opening polymerisation catalysis: used to prepare ‘designer’ functional
polymers and polymers with high mechanical strength.
2. The synthesis and applications of polymers containing inorganic atoms:
Main group containing polymers: polysiloxanes, polysilanes,
polyphosphazenes.
Transition metal containing polymers.
3. Organic-inorganic hybrid materials
Organometallic magnets
Metal coordination polymers (metal-organic frameworks)
3
Year 2
Option Module
Inorganic polymer chemistry
(RED)
, Learning Objectives
By the end of this course you should:
i) understand the structural and electronic features of metal complexes that lead to
polymerisation
ii) be able to describe the mechanism of metal-catalysed Ziegler-Natta and ring opening
polymerisations of alkenes
iii) understand the terms atactic, isotactic and syndiotactic.
iv) understand basic relationships between polymer and metallocene complex structure
for Ziegler-Natta catalysis
v) understand the possible polymer structures from ROMP
vi) understand the difference between enantiomorphic site control and chain end control
for stereospecific polymerisation.
vii) understand the structures of common inorganic polymers, their preparation and
applications.
viii) understand the concept of charge transfer complexes.
vix) describe the key structural and electronic features of charge transfer complexes that
give rise to magnetic behaviour.
vx) understand how simple coordination polymer structures that can be built from
combinations of metal ions and organic linkers
vxi) briefly describe uses of coordination polymers
Bibliography
‘Polymers’, D. Walton and P. Lorimer, 2001, Oxford Chemistry Primers
‘Metallocenes-An introduction to sandwich complexes’, N. J. Long, 1998, Blackwell Science
‘Advances in Non-Metallocene Olefin Polymerization Catalysis’, V. C. Gibson and S. T.
Spitzmesser, Chem. Rev. 2003, 103, 283-315.
Polymer science with transition metals, I. Manners, J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem., 2002,
40, 179-191.
‘Inorganic Polymers’, J. E. Mark, H. R. Allcock and R. West, 1992, Prentice Hall.
‘Organometallic Magnets’ J. S. Miller and A. J. Epstein, Coord. Chem. Rev., 2000, 206-207,
651-660.
‘Metal-organic frameworks’, S. L. James, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2003, 32, 276-288
‘Engineering coordination polymers towards applications’, C. Janiak, Dalton Trans., 2003,
2781-2804.
Related Courses
Transition metals (AKDK) year 1
Alkene and alkynes (RJKT) year 1
Macromolecules (DKS) year 1
Metal-ligand and metal-metal bonding (RED) year 2
Organometallic chemistry (JML) year 2
Inorganic reaction mechanisms (SBD) year 2
Radicals in synthesis (AFP) year 3
Supramolecular chemistry (DKS) year 3
Inorganic materials chemistry (RED) year 3
Solid state chemistry (KW) year 3
2
, Introduction
Polymers are ubiquitous; from the natural world (DNA, proteins, natural rubber,
cellulose, silk) to man made (Nylon, polyethylene, polyvinylcholride, superglue
etc.)
Metal complexes are of interest in polymerisation because:
1. They can catalyse polymerisation
2. Control polymer chain length and structure
3. Polymers containing metals can have useful properties (magnetic, electrical,
optical, catalytic)
The topics this course will cover
1. The synthesis and mechanism of organic polymers using metal complex
catalysts:
Ziegler- Natta catalysis: used to prepare polyethylene and polypropylene.
millions of tons a year.
Ring opening polymerisation catalysis: used to prepare ‘designer’ functional
polymers and polymers with high mechanical strength.
2. The synthesis and applications of polymers containing inorganic atoms:
Main group containing polymers: polysiloxanes, polysilanes,
polyphosphazenes.
Transition metal containing polymers.
3. Organic-inorganic hybrid materials
Organometallic magnets
Metal coordination polymers (metal-organic frameworks)
3
