A survey of selected novel hybrid organic-inorganic polymers obtained by polymerization and copolymerization of main group compounds containing vinyl groups is presented. Examples from groups 13 through 16 are discussed with an emphasis on synthesis and quantitative reactivity studies.This is a review of main group inorganic vinyl monomers that polymerize via the vinyl group. Selected examples of monomers, where the main group entity is separated from the vinyl function by other groups, will also be presented. These polymers will have a carbon chain backbone with pendant inorganic groups. The first section involves group 13, specifically the vinylborazines and vinylcarboranes. The second section covers group 14 (Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb). The third section covers group 15, focusing on phosphazenes, phosphonic acid esters, and phosphonic oxides. The last section will cover the vinylsulfoxides. The purpose of this review is to draw together much of the significant work done in this area, focusing on homopolymerization, copolymerizations, mechanisms, and reactivity in a widespread but not comprehensive manner. Relative monomer reactivity in copolymerization is commonly discussed in terms of reactivity ratios. These quantities may be defined as the ratio of the homo-to crosspropagation rate constants; thus, for monomer 1, r1 = k l l / k 1 2 .

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