Polymer production

The present invention relates to methods of producing polymeric compounds, in particular using radiation curing such ultraviolet or thermal radiation, or chemical curing or electron beam initiated curing. Certain compounds which form polymers under the influence of u.v. light form a further aspect of the invention, as well as to polymers, coatings and adhesives obtained thereby. A method for producing a polymeric material, said method comprising subjecting a starting material which includes two multiple bonds which are activated so that they will take part in a polymerisation reaction and wherein the multiple bonds are sufficiently close togeter to ensure that cyclopolymerisation will preferentially occur; to suitable conditions under which said polymerisation reaction will occur, provided that the starting marerial is other than triallyamine hydrochloride. The method can be used to produce polymers for various processes including adhesives, network polymers, liquid crystal polymers etc.