Emphasis is on a broad description of the general methods and processes
for the synthesis, modification and characterization of macromolecules.
These more fundamental chapters will be supplemented by selected and
detailed experiments. In addition to the preparative aspects, the book
also gives the reader an impression on the relation of chemical
constitution and morphology of Polymers to their properties, as well as
on their application areas. Thus, an additional textbook will not be
needed in order to understand the experiments.
The 5th edition contains numerous changes: In recent years, so-called
functional polymers which have special electrical, electronic, optical
and biological properties, have gained more and more in interest. This
textbook was therefore supplemented by recipes which describe the
synthesis of these materials in a new chapter "Functional polymers".
Together with new experiments in chapter 3,4 and 5 the book now contains
more than 120 recipes that describe a wide range of macromolecules.
From the reviews of recent editions:
"This is an excellent book for all polymer chemists engaged in synthesis
research studies and education. It is educationally sound and has
excellent laboratory synthetic examples. The fundamentals are well done
for the teaching of students and references are resonably up-to-date. As
in previous issues, there are sections dealing with an introduction;
structure and nomenclature; methods and techniques for synthesis,
characterization, processing and modification of polymers.
....The authors have noted the following changes from previous editions-
a new section on correlations of structure, morphology and properties;
revision and enlargement of other property and characterization
procedures; additional new experiments such as controlled radical
polymerization; enzymatic polymerizations; microelmulsions; and
electrical conducting polymers.
This is a high quality textbook at a reasonable price and should be
considered as a suitable reference for all engaged in synthetic areas of
polymer research." (Eli M. Pearce, Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY,
USA)
