Polymer Synthesis: Theory and Practice

Book Preface

The first English edition of this book was pubUshed in 1971 with the late Prof. Dr. Werner Kern as coauthor. In 1997, for the preparation of the third edition, Prof. Dr. Helmut Ritter joined the team of authors and in 2001 Prof. Dr. Brigitte Voit and Prof. Dr. Matthias Rehahn complemented this team.

The change in authors has not altered the basic concept of this 4th edition: again we were not aimed at compiling a comprehensive collection of recipes. Instead, we attempted to reach a broader description of the general methods and techniques for the synthesis, modification, and characterization of macromolecules, supplemented by 105 selected and detailed experiments and by sufficient theoretical treatment so that no additional textbook be needed in order to understand the experiments. In addition to the preparative aspects we have also tried to give the reader an impression of the relation of chemical structure and morphology of polymers to their properties, as well as of areas of their application.

In this context numerous changes were made. The chapter “Properties of Polymers” was revised and a new section “Correlations of Structure and Morphology with the Properties of Polymers” was added. The chapter “Characterization of Macromolecules” was revised and enlarged. 15 examples have been deleted as they did no longer represent the state of the art and/or were of minor educational value. Several new experiments (plus background text) were added, as, for example: controlled radical polymerization – enzymatic polymerization – microemulsions – polyelectrolytes as superabsorbants – hyperbranched polymers – new blockcopolymers – high impact polystyrene – electrical conducting polymers. Target groups of this new 4th edition still remain as before: students in organic and polymer chemistry as well as chemists and technicians in industry who want to acquaint themselves with this interdisciplinary field. Of course, it will also give guidance for already established or new practical laboratory courses.

The authors thank the companies BASF, BAYER, DEGUSSA, WACKER and the former HOECHST AG who made available to us revised and new examples from industrial laboratories. We also thank the Chemistry Editorial and Production Department of Springer-Verlag for an excellent cooperation.