Ladder Polymers and its Synthesis

Unlike classical polymers consisting of monomer units connected by a single covalent bond, ladder polymers having two covalent bonds between repeating units are considered to be new materials showing high thermal stability, and intrinsic porosity. In this mini-review, I focus recent synthetic/structural development of ladder polymers; 1. Pd catalyzed annulation reaction, 2. olefin metathesis reaction, and 3. a synthetic methodology for flexible ladder polymers. These developments will enable ladder polymers to apply for innovative porous materials, thin-film devices, and adhesive materials.