Functionality and stereochemical design of silicon-containing polymers

Molecular design and precision synthesis of silicon-containing polymers are described. The low rotational barrier energy around the silicon-oxygen bon d was taken advantage of in designing a selectively oxygen permeable membra ne material and new side-chain liquid crystalline polymers. The low surface free energy of polysiloxane graft copolymers was utilized in surface modif ication of a film consisting of a blend. Syntheses of stereoregular and/or optically active silicon-containing polymers from optically active silicon compounds are presented as well.