Polymers
that depolymerize end-to-end upon cleavage of their backbones
or end-caps, often termed “self-immolative” polymers
(SIPs), have garnered significant interest in recent years. They can
be distinguished from other degradable and stimuli-responsive polymers
by their ability to provide amplified responses to stimuli, as a single
bond cleavage event is translated into the release of many small molecules
through a cascade of reactions. Here, the synthesis and properties
of the major classes of SIPs including poly(benzyl carbamate)s, poly(benzyl
carbonate)s, poly(benzyl ether)s polyphthalaldehydes, polyglyoxylates,
polyglyoxylamides, and poly(olefin sulfone)s are presented. In addition,
their advantages and limitations as well as their recent applications
in areas including sensors, drug delivery, micro- and nanopatterning,
transient devices and composites, coatings, antibacterial, and recyclable
plastics are described. Finally, the challenges associated with the
development of new SIP backbones and their translation into commercial
products are discussed.