Polymer bound reagents have become established components of the repertoire of synthetic organic chemists. Recent advances in this field are reviewed with particular attention focused upon the nature of the polymer support. The application of condensation polymers as supports are highlighted. Techniques for chlormethylating polymers containing oxyphenylene repeat units with 1 ,h-bis [ chloromethoxy! butare are presented and the properties of the new support polymers are described. Aspects of site-site interaction of crosslinked polymer matrices are discussed. The review includes a suxary of applications for polymer-bound transition metal catalysts, phase transfer catalysts and organic reagents. Finally, the future of polymeric reagents is examined. 3-3:. ".5%23%.polystyrene solver.ts but higher crosslink densities produce rigid matrices which hinder diffusion of reagents through the particle. High crosslink densities are used to produce macroporous or macroreticular resins with high surface to volume ratios and low sensitivity to solvent selection since no swelling occurs (17).Chelation of metals may require mTiltiple Crosslinked po1:rst:mene resins are nreparcd ?esins containing 1-2% divinylbenzene are highly swollen in Other synthetic polymer substrates that have been used, usually with less general applicability, are polyacrylic acids, nylons, maleimide, &p'dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, bisphenol A--epichlorohydrin copolymer, and polyacrylamide derivatives. Several modified natural polymers have also been csed, e.g., cellulose and cross-linked dextrans. Some of tt.e most promising insoyuble supports are derivatized porous inorganic carriers (la). Host functionality is located on the surface; therefore, all problems of diffusion to the reactive site, nonswellability in certain solvents, a?d variations in swellability with different solvents are obviated. Porous glass beads are chemically and dimensionally stable, are easily filterable, and readily lend themselves to use in continuous-flow column operations.In addition to the type of substrate to be used, another factor that must be considered is the means of incorporating the active functionality into the a l k y l a t i o n c a t a l y s t , SbC15; m i n i m a l changes i n Mw are observed with h a r d e r Lewis a c i d s such as t i t a n i u m t e t . r n r h l n r i d p ( Tahl-1 )