Polymer synthesis and characterization in liquid / supercritical carbon dioxide

The use of carbon dioxide as an inert solvent has emerged recently as an important development in polymer chemistry. The past year has seen major advances in the synthesis of a variety of polymeric materials in carbon dioxide. At the same time complementary studies have successfully elucidated the physical behavior of a range of polymers in carbon dioxide solution. Herein we review both synthetic and physical studies that are defining the scope of this approach.