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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
'Switch' catalysis: from monomer mixtures to sequence-controlled block copolymers
T Stößer1, T T D Chen1, Y Zhu1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemical Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
Abstract:
A 'Switch' catalysis method is reviewed whereby a single catalyst is switched between ring-opening polymerization and ring-opening copolymerization cycles. It allows the efficient synthesis of block copolymers from mixtures of lactones, epoxides, anhydrides and carbon dioxide. In order to use and further develop such 'Switch' catalysis, it is important to understand how to monitor the catalysis and characterize the product block copolymers. Here, a step-by-step guide to both the catalysis and the identification of block copolymers is presented.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Providing sustainable catalytic solutions for a rapidly changing world'.
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