Recent Advances in the Stereoselective Polymerization of Epoxides and Applications of Stereocontrolled Polyethers

The stereoselective polymerization of racemic epoxides represents an increasingly powerful route to materials with tailored properties. Progress in this field is closely connected to advanced catalyst design and a growing understanding of polymerization mechanisms. This review briefly summarizes the historical development of the field and then focuses on research covering the past 10 years. Polyethers, already widely employed both for the mass market and for highly specialized applications, can be expected to gain further functionality and applicability based on these advances. A succinct final chapter provides an outlook, highlighting where stereocontrolled polyethers, in particular isotactic polymers, have already found fruitful application.