Telechelic Polymers

Abstract

This article presents commonly used synthetic routes and strategies toward polymers or oligomers with well‐defined functional end groups, specified as telechelics. It is to mention that mainly literature since 2000 until present has been considered. Telechelic polymers with diverse end groups are available via anionic and cationic polymerization as well as via controlled radical polymerization, including nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization. Furthermore, metathesis strategies such as ring‐opening metathesis polymerization and acyclic diene metathesis are presented. In addition, selected examples using chain scission to form such well‐defined functionalities are described. Finally, step‐growth polymerization and the synthesis of macromolecular telechelics are outlined.