Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
06:49
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
Published on: April 22, 2016
Sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers by metal-catalysed step-growth radical polymerization
Kotaro Satoh1, Satoshi Ozawa, Masato Mizutani
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
Nature Communications
|October 27, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a new method for sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers. This breakthrough in polymer chemistry allows precise control over monomer arrangement in synthetic polymers.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
- Materials Science
Background:
- Proteins and nucleic acids are sequence-regulated macromolecules, a property crucial for their function.
- Achieving precise sequence control in synthetic vinyl polymers remains a significant challenge in polymer chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel strategy for synthesizing sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers.
- To demonstrate the creation of vinyl copolymers with precisely controlled monomer sequences.
Main Methods:
- Utilized metal-catalyzed step-growth radical polyaddition of specifically designed monomers.
- Employed copper catalysis for the polymerization of monomers containing unconjugated C=C and C-Cl bonds.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized unprecedented ABCC-sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers.
- Achieved perfect vinyl chloride-styrene-acrylate-acrylate sequences in the resulting polymers.
Conclusions:
- The developed strategy offers a new route for creating sequence-regulated synthetic polymers.
- This work advances the field of polymer chemistry by enabling precise control over polymer microstructure.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Radical 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...
01:10Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
01:03Step-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...
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
00:57Cationic 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,...
01:04Anionic 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.
01:17Ziegler–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...