Ethylene Oxide Polymers: Synthesis, Modification, Topology, and Applications

Abstract

This article reviews the synthesis, modification, topology, and applications of ethylene oxide polymers (PEGs). The synthetic strategies presented involve the anionic ring‐opening polymerization, cationic ring‐opening polymerization, coordination polymerization, aluminum‐activated polymerization, and metal‐free polymerization. The modification concerns the m PEG derivatives, telechelic and heterotelechelic PEG. PEGs topologies discussed are focused on the block, star‐shaped, hyperbranched, and dendrimer‐like polymers. Based on the well‐defined modification and topology construction of PEGs, their applications in bioconjugation (or PEGylation) and pharmaceutical field, as well as in solid electrolyte, separation science, and support resins are presented. The article aims to help the readers to comprehensively understand the recent progress on PEGs and motivate further interest on these “evergreen” polymers.