Breakthrough in Acetylene Polymerization

Transition metal catalysis work by Reppe et al. (1948) and Natta et al. (1958) was the starting point for a new material: polyacetylene [2, 3]. It stimulated a tremendous research effort worldwide, especially in the past two decades [4], Its history shows how results from different areas of research provide a basis for continuous scientific progress. However, unlike the contemporary polyethylene and polypropylene developments, polyacetylene is still struggling to make its way into a useful product.