Borylated polyolefins and their applications

Different preparative routes for the attachment of organoboron moieties to polyolefins and applications of such materials are reviewed. Preparation from boron-functionalized monomers represents one possible synthetic strategy with free radical polymerization, Ziegler-Natta polymerization, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization methods as the most thoroughly studied procedures. Recent advances in the preparation of boron-containing polymers through polymer modification reactions provide an interesting alternative that allows for the facile preparation of well-defined organoboron polymers of various architectures including homo polymers, random copolymers, block copolymers, and telechelic polymers. New opportunities for organoboron polymers as supported catalysts, sensors, luminescent materials, device components, and precursors to ceramics are briefly discussed.