This comprehensive, truly one-stop reference discusses monomers, methods, stereochemistry, industrial applications and more. Chapters written by internationally acclaimed experts in their respective fields cover both basic principles and up-to-date information, ranging from the controlled ring-opening polymerization methods to polymer materials of industrial interest. All main classes of monomers including heterocyclics, cyclic olefins and alkynes, and cycloalkanes, are discussed separately as well as their specificities regarding the ring-opening polymerization techniques, the mechanisms, the degree of control, the properties of the related polymers and their applications. The two last chapters are devoted to the implementation of green chemistry in ring-opening polymerization processes.
Of much interest to chemists in academia and industry.

Philippe Dubois received his PhD degree from University of Liege. In 1997 he moved to University of Mons-Hainaut (UMH) where he obtained the chair of macromolecular chemistry and directed the Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials. He has co-authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications and is co-inventor of 40 patents. He co-edited 5 books. In 2007 he became Director of of The Center of Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP) at UMH. He is currently past-president of the Belgian Royal Chemical Society (president in 2006-2007) and scientific director of Materia Nova research center in Mons.

Olivier Coulembier received his PhD degree from University of Mons-Hainaut, Belgium in 2005 and joined the University of Stanford (United States) for his postdoctoral research in 2006. He is currently Research Associate by Belgian F.R.S.-FNRS in the Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials (Professor Philippe Dubois) at University of Mons-Hainaut. His main activities are focused on the (non)organometallic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic monomers. He has authored 24 scientific papers in international journals.

Jean-Marie Raquez, PhD in chemistry um UMH, Belgium, is currently postdoctoral researcher by Belgian F.R.S.-FNRS and works in the Laboratory of Polymeric and Composites Materials (Professor Philippe Dubois) at University of Mons-Hainaut (UMH) in Mons, Belgium. He has authored 12 scientific papers and 5 US patents in Materials Technology including macromolecular synthesis and reactive processing. In 2004, he joined the Michigan State University, USa, for his postdoctoral research.

THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS OF RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION
Introduction
Thermodynamics of the Ring-Opening Polymerization
Kinetics of Ring-Opening Polymerization
GENERAL MECHANISMS IN RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION
Introduction
Anionic Ring-Opening Polymerization
Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization
Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization
SILOXANE-CONTAINING POLYMERS
Introduction
Polydimethylsiloxanes
Functional Silicones
Polycarbosiloxanes
SULFUR-NITROGEN-PHOSPHOROUS-CONTAINING POLYMERS
Introduction
Mechanism and Methods in Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) of Halogenated Cyclotriphosphazanes
Ring-Opening Polymerization and Chemistry of Nonhalogenated Phosphazane Rings
Incorporation of Sulfur into Phosphazane Ring Systems and Their Polymerization Chemistry
POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLIC DEPSIPEPTIDES, UREAS AND URETHANES
Introduction
Polydepsipeptides
Monomers
Ring-Opening Polymerization
Enzymatic Polymerization
Ring Expansion
Polyureas
Polyurethanes
POLYETHERS AND POLYOXAZOLINES
Introduction
Polyethers
Polyoxazolines
POLYAMIDES
Introduction
Mechanism of the Anionic Polymerization of Lactams
Initiators for the Anionic Polymerization of Lactams
Activators for Anionic Polymerization of Lactams
Nonactivated Polymerization
Cyclic Oligomers of Epsilon-Caprolactam
Block Copolymers of Lactams
Anionic Copolymerization of Epsilon-Caprolactam with Omega-Laurolactam
Copolymerization of Lactams with Lactones (Epsilon-Caprolactone)
Powdered Polyamide
Nanocomposites
Anionic Polymerization of 2-Pyrrolidone
RING-OPENING METATHESIS POLYMERIZATION
General Introduction
Introduction to Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
Well-Defined Catalysts for ROMP
`Living? ROMP
Selected Recent Applications and Developments
POLYESTERS FROM BETA-LACTONES
Introduction
Beta-Lactones Preparation
Ionic Polymerization
Coordination Process
Carbene-Based Polymerization
Enzymatic Polymerization
Illustrative Experimental Section
POLYESTERS FROM DILACTONES
Introduction
General Concepts and ROP Promoted by Metallic
Recent Advances in ROP
Macromolecular Engineering
Applications
POLYESTERS FROM LARGE LACTONES
Introduction
Controlled Synthesis of Linear Polyesters
Physical Properties of Polymers
POLYCARBONATES
Introduction
Polymerization of Cyclic Carbonates: Homopolymers and Block Copolymers
POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLOALKANES
Introduction
General Overview and Thermodynamic Requirements
Structure-Reactivity Relationships Based on a Comprehensive Survey of the Current Literature
METAL-FREE CATALYSIS IN RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION
Introduction
Nucleophilic ROP
Metal-Free Ionic ROP
ENZYME-MEDIATED RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION
Introduction
Characteristics of Enzymatic ROP
Classes of Monomer
Polymer Architectures Employing Enzymatic ROP