INORGANIC-ORGANIC POLYMERS

Polymers with an inorganic backbone and organic or organometallic side groups are one of the most promising approaches to new materials that combine the advantages of organic polymers with those of inorganic so lids. Properties conferred by particular backbone elements and side gr oups are discussed, and methods of synthesis briefly outlined. The fig ure shows the result of a novel variation of ring-opening polymerizati on.