book review: cationic polymerization mechanisms; synthesis and applications edited by krzysztof...

Polymer International 44 (1997) 111È114

Book Reviews

polymerization mechanisms; synthesis and applica-CationictionsEdited by Krzysztof Matyjaszewski.Marcel Dekker, New York, 1996.pp. x] 768, price US$195.00.ISBN 0-8247-9463-X

The editor is the co-author of three of the eight chapterswhich touch upon every important aspect of cationic poly-merizations (CP). The eight other authors, from Ðve countries,are active researchers in CP, so that their writing reÑectsvaried practical experience. The chapters are : “IntroductionÏ(K. M. and C. Pugh) ; “Fundamentals of the reactions of carbo-cations with nucleophilesÏ (H. Mayr) ; “Mechanistic aspects ofcationic polymerizations of alkenesÏ (K. M. and C. Pugh) ;“Controlled/living carbocationic polymerizationÏ (K. M. andM. Sawamoto) ; “Controlled synthesis by cationic poly-merizationÏ (M. Sawamoto) ; “Cationic polymerization ofheterocyclicsÏ (P. Kubisa) ; “Step-growth electrophilic oligo-merization and polymerizationÏ (V. Percec and D. H. Hill) ;“Industrial cationic polymerizations : an overviewÏ (J.-P.Vairon and N. Spassky).

This is a useful book presenting fundamental treatments ofmost essential features of CP written in good English.

Because of the di†erent backgrounds of the authors, there isa sensible balance of the organicÈsynthetic and physicalÈtheoretical aspects. The increasing understanding of themechanisms of the CP of alkenes and heterocyclics is shownin Chapters 3 and 6 ; the increasing usefulness of CP whichresults from such improved understanding is shown especiallyin Chapters 5 and 8. Chapters 5 and 6 contain detailed recipesfor making some polymers.

For many of the conÑicting views and theories whichprevail in this area, the authors have presented opposingviews fairly, although instances of bias are detectable by theomission of some critical references. Also, if this book is areaderÏs Ðrst encounter with the literature of CP he/she willremain unaware of (amongst other matters) the importance ofthe complexing of monomers with carbenium ions, the exis-tence of a comprehensive theory of CP by ionizing radiations,and a critical review of the propagation rate-constants ofalkenes, which questions the validity of most of those quotedin this book.

There are commendably few misprints, mis-spellings andwrong references, the index is good and, unusually for multi-

author works, the symbols, nomenclature and units areuniform throughout.

This very thorough and didactically valuable book shouldbe available to all polymer chemists, despite its excessive price.

H.P. Plesch

water soluble polymersIndustrialEdited by C. A. Finch.Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1996.pp. x] 136, price £39.50.ISBN 0-85404-746-8.

This book contains a selection of nine papers from a meetingon “Industrial water soluble polymersÏ, held in March 1996 atManchester. The papers provide an excellent introduction tothe broad Ðeld of water soluble polymers and are directedespecially at scientists having an interest in, but little back-ground knowledge of these polymers. Five of the papersdiscuss their fundamental properties while four deal with moredetailed applications to particular industrial problems.

The Ðve fundamental contributions, start with an overviewby Budd of the types and properties of available polymers,together with some general applications such as stabilizingcolloids and controlling rheology. Hunkeler and Hernandez-Barajas review methods for preparing polyacrylamide, themost commonly used family of Ñocculants. Goodwin intro-duces the basic concepts of rheology, methods of measurementand how polymers inÑuence the rheology of solutions and net-works. Special examples of networks, i.e. gels formed by bio-polymers including proteins and polysaccharides, arediscussed by Clark. The behaviour of polymers adsorbed atthe solid/liquid interface and the consequent e†ects on the sta-bility of colloid dispersions such as clays or latices are intro-duced by Gregory.

The more “appliedÏ papers necessarily have to select applica-tions, though these illustrate quite well some of the morecommon capabilities of water soluble polymers. The use ofcellulose derivatives in controlling the rheology and settingtimes of mortars and plasters is discussed by Schweizer andDewald. The application of microbial polysaccharides, espe-cially xanthan, as suspending agents is compared with alterna-tives such as clays by Clark and Lockwood. Beck reviews the

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