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Related Concept Videos

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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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...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

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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...
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Crown ethers are cyclic polyethers that contain multiple oxygen atoms, usually arranged in a regular pattern. The first crown ether was synthesized by Charles Pederson while working at DuPont in 1967. For this work, Pedersen was co-awarded the 1987 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Crown ethers are named using the formula x-crown-y, where x is the total number of atoms in the ring and y is the number of ether oxygen atoms. The term 'crown' refers to the crown-like shape that these ether molecules...
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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Ion Exchange

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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...
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Cationic Poly(benzyl ether)s as Self-Immolative Antimicrobial Polymers.

Cansu Ergene1, Edmund F Palermo1

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , 110 8th St., Troy, New York 12180, United States.

Biomacromolecules
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed novel self-immolative polymers (SIMPs) with strong antimicrobial properties. These polymers depolymerize into safe small molecules upon stimulation, reducing toxicity while retaining antibacterial efficacy.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Antimicrobial Agents

Background:

  • Self-immolative polymers (SIMPs) are designed to depolymerize upon specific stimuli.
  • Developing effective and safe antimicrobial materials remains a critical challenge in medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create the first self-immolative polymers with potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
  • To investigate the relationship between cationic functionality, antibacterial efficacy, and hemolytic toxicity.
  • To demonstrate triggered depolymerization of these polymers into less toxic small molecules.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesized poly(benzyl ether)s with pendant allyl side chains and silyl ether end-caps.
  • Converted polymers to polycations via photoinitiated thiol-ene radical addition with cysteamine HCl.
  • Assessed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and hemolytic toxicity.
  • Triggered depolymerization using fluoride ions and analyzed the resulting small molecules.

Main Results:

  • Primary ammonium polymers exhibited potent bactericidal activity against E. coli.
  • Quaternary ammonium polymers showed the lowest hemolytic toxicity.
  • Fluoride ion-induced depolymerization was rapid, selective, and sensitive.
  • Depolymerization retained significant antibacterial potency while substantially reducing hemolytic toxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Introduced a novel platform of self-immolative antibacterial polymers.
  • Demonstrated a strategy to mitigate toxicity of antimicrobial polymers through triggered depolymerization.
  • This approach offers a promising avenue for developing safer and more effective antibacterial materials.