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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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Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

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Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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,...

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Ion exchange chromatography separates charged molecules from a solution by reversibly exchanging them with mobile, or 'active', ions associated with the oppositely charged stationary phase. This method can be used to separate ions, soften and deionize water, and purify solutions. The polymers comprising the ion-exchange column are high-molecular-weight and chemically stable polymers, crosslinked to be porous and essentially insoluble. They are also functionalized with either acidic or basic...

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Cationic antimicrobial polymers and their assemblies.

Ana Maria Carmona-Ribeiro¹, Letícia Dias de Melo Carrasco

¹Biocolloids Lab, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 26077-05513-970, São Paulo, Brazil. amcr@usp.br.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

|May 14, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cationic polymers, particularly quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), show potent antimicrobial activity with low human cell toxicity. Advances in polymer synthesis enable detailed structure-activity relationship studies for novel antimicrobial applications.

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Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

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Published on: February 7, 2017

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Biotechnology

Background:

Cationic compounds, especially quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), are effective antimicrobial agents.
Amphiphilic cationic polymers offer enhanced microbicidal activity and low human cell toxicity compared to small molecules.
Previous challenges in understanding structure-antimicrobial activity relationships were due to polymer synthesis limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the potential of cationic polymers as antimicrobial agents.
To investigate the structure-antimicrobial activity relationship in well-defined polymers.
To examine the development of hybrid antimicrobial nanostructures and films.

Main Methods:

Utilizing controlled polymerization techniques to create well-defined polymers.
Synthesizing amphiphilic cationic polymers with quaternary ammonium groups.
Grafting or self-assembling antimicrobial polymers onto various vehicles.

Main Results:

Well-defined polymers allow for better insight into structure-antimicrobial activity relationships.
Amphiphilic cationic polymers demonstrate significant antimicrobial efficacy.
Hybrid nanostructures and films exhibit antimicrobial properties and potential for drug delivery.

Conclusions:

Cationic polymers, particularly QACs, are promising for antimicrobial agent development.
Advances in polymer synthesis facilitate the design of targeted antimicrobial materials.
Antimicrobial polymers can be integrated into various applications like wound dressings and food packaging.