The application of automated synthetic parallel methods in polymer chemistry is described. A brief over-view of all different polymerization techniques that have been used is provided. Furthermore, the equipment and methodolocies that were used in our approach for automated parallel polymerization reactions are discussed followed by detailed insight into recent developments on automated cationic ring-opening polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization, and emulsion polymerizations. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.