Netted or tangled? hydrophobic or hydrophilic? stiff or flexible? a review of some polyelectrolyte chemistry

In this talk, highlights and an interconnected thread of ideas will be presented in relation to the following specific areas of polyelectrolyte research: (1) the development of ion retardation resins, which are “snake-cage” or semi-interpenetrating polyelectrolyte systems that absorb ionic species reversibly; (2) the synthesis of specially and chelating ion exchange resins, by overcoming barriers to polymer reactivity; (3) reactive sulfonium monomers and polymers, in relation to coatings; (4) the enhancement, by chain stiffening, of the viscosifying effect of high molecular weight polyelectrolytes, in relation to improved water-flooding of oil wells. In the talk, the qualitative importance of the factors given in the title will be emphasized, and the influence of the work of Turner Alfrey will be illustrated.