Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
Published on: April 22, 2016
Synthesis of polyacrylonitrile using AGET-ATRP in emulsion
Jing Ma1, Hou Chen1, Delong Liu1
1School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
Abstract:
The technique of activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET-ATRP) of acrylonitrile (AN) has been first attempted in emulsion using the procedure of "one-pot", "two-step" with polyethylene glycol monooleyl ether (Brij 35) as surfactant, cupric chloride (CuCl2) as catalyst, hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as ligand, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as initiator and ascorbic acid (VC) as reducing agent. The polymerization proceeds in controlled/living manner as indicated by first-order kinetics of the polymerization rate with respect to the monomer concentration, linear increase of the molecular weight of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with monomer conversion and narrow polydispersity. Monomer conversion increases initially with the increase of ligand HMTA and then decreases. The ratio of [AN1] to [AN2] at 1:3 not only gives better control on the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution, but also provides a more rapid polymerization rate. The rate of polymerization shows a trend of increase along with CCl4 content. The apparent activation energy of the polymerization is calculated to be 46.6 kJ/mol. Chain extension of PAN with AN was also carried out and the chain extended PAN with 20520 molecular weight and 1.36 polydispersity was successfully obtained.
More Related Videos
11:42Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
07:39Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst
Published on: June 8, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis
Most macromolecules are composed of single subunits, or building blocks, called monomers. The monomers combine with each other using covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers.
Conversion of...