The discovery of facile catalytic alternating alkene/carbon monoxide copolymerization has significantly impacted the areas of polymer science, organometallic chemistry, and catalysis. Highly active systems that allow the directed synthesis of compounds ranging from low molecular weight esters, ketones and aldehydes to high molecular weight copolymers are now available. In addition, copolymerizations with high regio, stereo and enantioselectivity have been achieved. This title provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the subject. The book draws on journal and patent literature available up to the middle of 2002, as well as hitherto unpublished results. It should be of interest to academic and industrial chemists involved with transition metal catalysis, organometallic chemistry, petrochemicals, and polymeric materials. It should be suitable for specialists in the field as well as to those who wish to learn about an important and rapidly expanding area of chemistry and materials science.
