Recent work on entropically‐driven ring‐opening polymerizations: some potential applications

The entropically‐driven ring‐opening polymerization of macrocyclic monomers (> ca . 14 ring atoms per repeat unit) and/or macrocyclic oligomers is a relatively new method of polymer synthesis that exploits the well‐known phenomenon of ring‐chain equilibria. It attracts interest because of its novel features. For example, these ring‐opening polymerizations emit no volatiles and little or no heat. This review considers the principles of entropically‐driven ring‐opening polymerizations, gives selected examples and discusses potential applications. The latter include micromolding, high throughput syntheses and the synthesis of supramolecular polymers.