The Mechanism and Kinetics of the Polymerisation of Conjugated Diacetylenes. The Physical Properties of Polydiacetylenes

The mechanisms of the polymerisation of disubstituted conjugated diacetylenes initiated in different ways are examined as are the factors influencing the polymerisation kinetics, the yield of the polymer, and the molecular weight distribution and the structure of the final product. Various physical properties of the most highly investigated polydiacetylenes are discussed: optical (including thermo- and solvato-chromism), non-linear optical, paramagnetic, electro-physical mechanical, etc. properties. The possible practical applications of polydiacetylenes are indicated. The bibliography includes 289 references.