Promotion of atom transfer radical polymerization and ring-opening metathesis polymerization in ionic liquids

In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in using ionic liquids as solvents for chemical reactions and polymerizations. This interest is stimulated not only by their nonvolatility (green solvents) but also by their special properties, which often affect the course of a reaction or polymerization and the properties of products. Recent developments in ionic liquids as solvents for atom transfer radical polymerization, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization are described. The syntheses of ruthenium-based complexes bearing PEG ligand and ionic liquids moieties and their utilizations as precatalysts for metathesis polymerizations are also summarized.