Post-polymerization functionalization of polyolefins

Polyolefins are macromolecular alkanes and include the most familiar and most commercially produced plastic. polyethylene. The low cost of these materials combined with their diverse and p desirable property profiles drive Such large-scale production. One property that renders polyolefins so attractive is their resistance to harsh chemical environments. However, this attribute becomes a severe limitation when attempting to chemically convert these plastics into value-added materials. Functionalization of polymers is a useful methodology for the generation of new materials with wide ranging applications, and this tutorial review describes both new and established methods for the post-polymerization modification of polyolefins.