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Related Concept Videos

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

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: Overview01:03

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...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

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,...
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

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...
Polymers02:34

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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in Poly(S-Divinylbenzene)
09:16

Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in Poly(S-Divinylbenzene)

Published on: May 20, 2019

A statistical theory for self-condensing vinyl polymerization.

Zuo-Fei Zhao1, Hai-Jun Wang, Xin-Wu Ba

  • 1College of Chemistry and Environment Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, People's Republic of China.

The Journal of Chemical Physics
|August 28, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Statistical mechanics reveals properties of self-condensing vinyl polymerization. This study derives polymer size distribution and scaling laws, clarifying critical behaviors and correcting polydispersity index interpretations.

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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
06:55

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Statistical Mechanics
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Self-condensing vinyl polymerization presents complex behaviors.
  • Understanding polymer size distribution and scaling is crucial for material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate properties of self-condensing vinyl polymerization using statistical mechanics.
  • Derive equilibrium free energy, law of mass action, and polymer size distribution.
  • Analyze scaling behavior near the critical point and isothermal compressibility.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized statistical mechanics and mean field theory.
  • Constructed canonical partition functions from functional group and polymer perspectives.
  • Derived size distribution function, radius of gyration, and scaling laws.

Main Results:

  • Obtained explicit expressions for equilibrium free energy and law of mass action.
  • Unified derivation of hyperbranched polymer size distribution through two methods.
  • Determined scaling behavior of the kth radius of gyration and scaling law near the critical point.

Conclusions:

  • Established consistency between two partition functions and previous kinetic results.
  • Indicated increasing spatial correlation with conversion, peaking at the critical point.
  • Resolved discrepancies in polydispersity index calculations using correlation length.