Silicon-Containing Polymers

BACKGROUND Polysiloxanes have chains constructed of alternately arranged silicon and oxygen atoms with organic groups attached to the silicon atoms. This structure gives them a unique combination of properties that hold great interest for a host of practical applications. Although they have been known and manufactured for many years, their applications continue to expand rapidly and this boosts progress in the generation of new and modified polysiloxanes. Polysiloxanes constitute the oldf'"e;' known class of silicon-based polymers and the broadest one when viewed in terms of the variety of structures differing in topology and the constitution of organic substituents. There are also many and various types of siloxane copolymers, some of purely siloxane structure and others of siloxane-organic composition. There is no doubt that polysiloxanes are the most technologically important silicon-based polymers. The broad class of model materials known as silicones is based on polysiloxanes. They are also the best known, as most research in the area of silicon polymers has for many years been directed towards the synthesis of new polysiloxanes, to understanding their properties and to extending their applications.