Abstract
The present state of the synthesis of polymers by modification methods is considered and the characteristics of the polymer modification reactions, determined by the specific macromolecular features of the polymers, are discussed. The applicability of the concept of the heterounit structure to polymers obtained by the modification procedure is demonstrated. Typical groups of reactions modifying natural and synthetic polymers and their features are specified and the characteristics of such reactions, involving substitution, structure formation, degradation, addition, elimination, isomerisation, and exchange, are considered. The prospects for the development of modification processes as a leading trend in the field of the synthesis of polymers are described.
The bibliography includes 130 references.