POLYMERIC ISOCYANIDES - SYNTHESIS, PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS

A general review of polymeric isonitriles (polymeric isocyanides or isocyano polymers) is presented, drawing attention to a fascinating class of reactive polymers for basic research and several potential applications. Various synthetic routes for the generation of the isocyano (-N=C) function on soluble and crosslinked polymers are discussed. The polymers covered include polysiloxane, silica gel, nylon, polysaccharides, polyacrylamid polystyrene and copoly(styrene-acrylamide)s. The nature of the chemistry of polymer-bound isocyano groups involving four component condensation (4CC) and transition metal coordination is illustrated. Potential uses of polymeric isocyanides for the preparation of polymer-supported transition metal catalysts, immobilized enzymes and polymer supports for solid phase peptide synthesis arc also outlined.