The sheer volume of topics which could have been included under our general title prompted us to make some rather arbitrary decisions about content. Modification by irradiation is not included because the activity in this area is being treated elsewhere. We have chosen to emphasize chemical routes to modification and have striven to pre­ sent as balanced a representation of current activity as time and page count permit. Industrial applications, both real and potential, are included. Where appropriate, we have encouraged the contributors to include review material to help provide the reader with adequate context. The initial chapter is a review from a historical perspective of polymer modification and contains an extensive bibliography. The remainder of the book is divided into four general areas: Reactions and Preparation of Copolymers Reactions and Preparation of Block and Graft Copolymers Modification Through Condensation Reactions Applications The chemical modification of homopolymers such as polyvinylchlo­ ride, polyethylene, poly(chloroalkylene sulfides), polysulfones, poly­ chloromethylstyrene, polyisobutylene, polysodium acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloroformate, sulfonated polystyrene; block and graft copolymers such as poly(styrene-block-ethylene-co-butylene­ block-styrene), poly(I,4-polybutadiene-block ethylene oxide), star chlorine-telechelic polyisobutylene, poly(isobutylene-co-2,3-dimethyl- 1,3-butadiene), poly(styrene-co-N-butylmethacrylate); cellulose, dex­ tran and inulin, is described.

Review.- Modification of Polymers.- Reactions and Preparations of Copolymers.- Polymer Modification via Repeating Unit Isomerization.- Chemical Modification of Poly(styrenesulfone).- The Effect of Additives for Accelerating Radiation Grafting: The Use of the Technique for Modification of Polymers Especially Polyolefins.- The Halogenation of Poly[isobutylene-co-(2, 3-dimethyl-l, 3-butadiene)].- Preparation and Properties of 2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate-Alkyl Aerylate Copolymer Net-works.- Poly(enol-ketone) from the Oxidation of Poly(vinyl alcohol).- Synthesis and Reaction of Poly(l, 3-octadienyl Iron Tricarbonyl).- Reactions and Preparation of Block and Graft Copolymers.- Single and Compound Crosslinking of Polymer Systems.- Grafting on Polyvinylchloride in Suspension Using Phase Transfer Catalysts or Solvents.- Control of Polymer Surface Structure by Tailored Graft Copolymers.- Preparations of Block Copolymers by Chemical Reactions on Leamellas of Partially Crystalline Flexible Polymers.- Graft Copolymerization of Maleic Anhydride onto Polyethylene.- Masterbatched Polyethylene-Clay Composites Prepared Through InSitu Graft Copolymerization of Maleic Anhydride.- Modification Through Condensation Reactions.- Reaction Variables in the Aqueous Solution Coordination of the Uranyl Ion with Polyacrylic Acid and Polysodium Acrylate.- Coordination of the Uranyl Ion Through Reaction with Aqueous Solutions Containing Polyacrylic Acid and Polysodium Acrylate-Structural Considerations.- Homogenous Chemical Modification of Cellulose: Further Studies on the DMSO-PF Solvent System.- Chemical Modification of Polysaccharides - Modification of Dextran Through Interfacial Condensation with Organostannane Halides.- Stable Polymer Eerified Sugar.- A New Polyblend: Polyesterimide Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin.- Chemical Modification of Poly(vinyl Chloroformate).- Modified Polysaccharides with Potential Anti-Arrhythmic Activity.- Variation on the Properties of Aromatic Polyesters by Changes in Isomer Distribution and Ring Substitution.- Calcium Ion-Selective Electrodes with Covalently-Bound Organophosphate Sensor Groups.- Dyed Sulfonated Polystyrene Films: Relationship of Triboelectric Charging and Molecular Orbital Energy Levels.- Organotin Polyimides: Structure-Property Relationships.- The Microstructure of Cyclized Polyisoprene.- Contributors.