Technological watch

Poly(cyclic vinyl ethers) (PCVEs), compositions of same, methods of making same, and uses of same. In various examples, PCVEs (e.g., homopolymers and/or copolymers) comprise repeat units comprising cyclic vinyl ether (CVE) groups in the backbone (e.g., poly(2,3- dihydrofuran) and/or poly(3,4-dihydropyran)). In various examples, PCVE homopolymers comprise molecular weights (Mn and/or Mw) of 200 kilodalton (kD) or greater. In various examples, PCVE copolymers (e.g., random or block) comprise one or more CVE group(s) and/or additional (e.g., acyclic vinyl ether (AVE) and/or styrenic) group(s)). A method of preparing PCVEs comprises polymerizing monomers comprising CVE groups (e.g., 2,3 -dihydrofuran and/or 3,4-dihydropyran). In various examples, pentakis(carbonylcyclopentadienes) (PCCPs) and/or hydrogen bond donors are polymerization catalysts and/or initiators. various examples, PCVEs are biorenewable, recyclable, thermoplastic materials that exhibit desirable optical clarity, desirable barrier properties to, e.g., oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, and find uses in food packaging, windows, and the like.