The spatial organisation of macromolecular metal chelates

The spatial organisation of metallopolymers (macromolecular metal chelates) is analysed on three levels; local, molecular, and supermolecular. The thermodynamic features of the formation of chelates with polymeric ligands are examined and data are presented concerning the dependence of the structure of the chelate units on various factors. The principal changes which the macrochain may undergo on formation of metal chelate centres are considered. The behaviour of the macromolecular ligands and their low-molecular- mass analogues is compared on the molecular level. The principal characteristics of the formation of intramolecular and intermolecular complexes are listed and the causes of their stability are examined. The bibliography includes 125 references.