Olefin metathesis reaction can be considered as one of the most successful organic reactions with many applications in the low molecular weight range and also in the polymer field. The use of catalysts with their selective and effective transformation properties in olefin metathesis I polymerization systems is a growing interest. There has been great effort and competition in developing active and commercially useful catalysts. The main aim of this ASI was to gather several research groups and also the people from industry. to present existing knowledge and latest results in the field. A wide range of topics through homogeneous and heterogeneous aspects have been considered. Attention has been drawn to the metal-carbene and metallacyclobutane complexes as active species, the initiation mechanisms, the stereochemistry and thermodynamics of these reactions. New catalytic systems for the metathesis of alkenes and alkynes and fot' ring opening polymeriZation I block copolymerization reactions have been introduced. Spectroscopic studies for the characteriZation of catalysts, simulation studies explaining the function of chain carrier species and polymer degradation have also been covered. A detailed industrial report concerning the patents and applications in olefin metathesis I cyc1001efin polymerization area, fabrication and derivation has been presented. This volume contains the main lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on " Olefin Metathesis and Polymerization Catalysts: Synthesis, Mechanism and Utilization," held at Akcay. Babkesir. Turkey between 10th and 22nd September 1989.

The first NATO Advanced Study Institute on Olefin Metathesis and Polymerization Catalysts was held on September 10-22, 1989 in Akcay, Turkey. Based on the fundamental research of RRSchrock, RGrubbs and K.B.Wagener in the field of ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) and alkyne polymerization, these areas gained growing interest within the last years. Therefore the second NATO-ASI held on metathesis reactions was on Ring Opening Metathesis Po lymerization of Olefins and Polymerization of Alkynes on September 3-16, 1995 in Akcay, Turkey. The course joined inorganic, organic and polymer chemists to exchange their knowledge in this field. This volume contains the main and short lectures held in Akcay. To include ADMET reactions better into the title of this volume we changed it into: Metathesis Polymerization of Olefins and Alkyne Polymerization. This volume is addressed to research scientists, but also to those who start to work in the area of olefin metathesis and alkyne polymerization. The topics of the course were: mechanism of ROMP reactions/ new catalysts for ROMP/ new products by ROMP/ new catalysts for ADMET/ new products by ADMETI degradation of polymer by metathesis reactions/ alkyne polymerization and metathesis/ industrial application of metathesis reactions. The Advanced Study Institute was generously sponsored by the Scientific Affairs Division of NATO and the editor gratefully acknowledges this sponsorship. We also thank the Members of the Local Organizing Committee for their engagement on a successful NATO-AS ."

Olefin metathesis reaction can be considered as one of the most successful organic reactions with many applications in the low molecular weight range and also in the polymer field. The use of catalysts with their selective and effective transformation properties in olefin metathesis I polymerization systems is a growing interest. There has been great effort and competition in developing active and commercially useful catalysts. The main aim of this ASI was to gather several research groups and also the people from industry. to present existing knowledge and latest results in the field. A wide range of topics through homogeneous and heterogeneous aspects have been considered. Attention has been drawn to the metal-carbene and metallacyclobutane complexes as active species, the initiation mechanisms, the stereochemistry and thermodynamics of these reactions. New catalytic systems for the metathesis of alkenes and alkynes and fot' ring opening polymeriZation I block copolymerization reactions have been introduced. Spectroscopic studies for the characteriZation of catalysts, simulation studies explaining the function of chain carrier species and polymer degradation have also been covered. A detailed industrial report concerning the patents and applications in olefin metathesis I cyc1001efin polymerization area, fabrication and derivation has been presented. This volume contains the main lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on " Olefin Metathesis and Polymerization Catalysts: Synthesis, Mechanism and Utilization," held at Akcay. Babkesir. Turkey between 10th and 22nd September 1989.