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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Published on: February 7, 2017

Hydrogen-bonded dendronized polymers and their self-assembly in solution.

Dang Xie¹, Ming Jiang, Guangzhao Zhang

¹Department of Macromolecular Science and The Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China.

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|January 6, 2007

Summary

Benzyl ether dendrons attached to poly(4-vinylpyridine) form hydrogen-bonded dendronized polymers. These polymers self-assemble into vesicles in chloroform, with size influenced by the dendron-to-polymer ratio.

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Synthesis and Characterization of 1,2-Dithiolane Modified Self-Assembling Peptides

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Synthesis and Characterization of 1,2-Dithiolane Modified Self-Assembling Peptides

Synthesis and Characterization of 1,2-Dithiolane Modified Self-Assembling Peptides

Published on: August 20, 2018

Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Supramolecular Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Dendronized polymers represent a unique class of macromolecules with potential applications in nanotechnology and drug delivery.
Hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking are key non-covalent interactions for controlling polymer self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize hydrogen-bonded dendronized polymers (HB denpols) by combining Frechet-type benzyl ether dendrons with poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP).
To investigate the self-assembly behavior of these HB denpols in solution and characterize the resulting nanostructures.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of G2 and G3 benzyl ether dendrons with a carboxyl group.
Formation of HB denpols through hydrogen bonding between dendrons and PVP in chloroform.
Characterization of vesicle formation and morphology using dynamic light scattering (DLS), static light scattering (SLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Main Results:

HB denpols were successfully formed in chloroform, exhibiting self-assembly into vesicles upon ultrasonic treatment.
Vesicle size decreased, while membrane thickness increased with increasing molar ratio of dendron (Gx) to PVP.
Key driving forces for self-assembly include hydrogen bonding, pi-pi aromatic stacking, and architectural differences between dendrons and PVP.

Conclusions:

Frechet-type benzyl ether dendrons can effectively form HB denpols with PVP.
The HB denpols demonstrate controlled self-assembly into vesicles, offering tunable morphology based on composition.
This study highlights the potential of combining dendrons and polymers for creating novel self-assembled nanostructures.