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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.

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: Mechanism

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into the...

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,...

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, high molecular...

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,...

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DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

Published on: October 25, 2017

Entangled dynamics of a stiff polymer.

Felix Höfling¹, Tobias Munk, Erwin Frey

¹Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Theresienstrasse 37, München, Germany.

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

|July 23, 2008

Summary

We modeled stiff polymer dynamics in entangled networks, revealing how topological constraints influence movement. Simulations confirm scaling relations for polymer relaxation and diffusion, providing insights into the tube concept.

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Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers

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Published on: September 26, 2016

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Polymer Physics
Soft Matter Physics

Background:

Entangled networks of stiff biopolymers display complex dynamics.
Neighboring filaments impose topological constraints, influencing movement.

Purpose of the Study:

Propose reference models for stiff polymer entanglement dynamics.
Provide a quantitative foundation for the tube concept in stiff polymers.
Investigate scaling relations in polymer dynamics.

Main Methods:

Developed reference models for entanglement dynamics.
Conducted large-scale computer simulations.
Simulated an infinitely thin needle exploring a planar course of point obstacles.

Main Results:

Proved conjectured scaling relations for polymer dynamics.
Characterized fast transverse equilibration and slow orientational relaxation.
Determined rotational diffusion coefficient, angular confinement, and tube diameter.

Conclusions:

The tube concept provides a valid framework for understanding stiff polymer dynamics.
Topological constraints are crucial for the dynamic response of entangled biopolymer networks.
Simulation results support theoretical predictions for polymer relaxation and diffusion.