Transition Metal Catalyzed Synthesis of Organmetallic Polymers

Transition metal catalysts have recently been used to synthesize organo-metallic oligomers and polymers containing boron or silicon in the polymer backbone. Three types of transition metal catalyzed reactions have proven useful for organometallic polymer synthesis 1 dehydrocoupling by self- reaction or by reaction with an acidic hydrogen 2 redistribution of Si-H bonds with Si-O bonds, and, 3 ring opening polymerization. In this review, we examine the potential utility of these catalytic methods for the synthesis of organometallic polymers. In each instance, an effort is made to illustrate the generality or lack thereof for reaction types. Relevant literature and proposed reaction mechanisms for each reaction are discussed. JES