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Related Concept Videos

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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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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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.1K
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...
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

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The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
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Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)00:53

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

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Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
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...
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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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...
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Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
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Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Biorelated Hybrid Materials.

Stefanie L Baker1,2, Bibifatima Kaupbayeva2,3, Sushil Lathwal4

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University , Scott Hall 4N201, 5000 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15213 , United States.

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Researchers are attaching synthetic polymers to biomacromolecules like proteins, enhancing their stability and bioactivity. This biomaterial conjugation advances genetic and tissue engineering applications.

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Polymer Microarrays for High Throughput Discovery of Biomaterials
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Area of Science:

  • Bioconjugation Chemistry
  • Polymer Science
  • Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

  • Biomacromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates) are essential for life.
  • Post-translational modifications and polymer conjugation enhance biomacromolecule diversity and function.
  • Naturally and synthetically derived polymers offer tunable properties for biomaterial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the conjugation of synthetic polymers to biomacromolecules.
  • To understand how polymer characteristics influence conjugate properties.
  • To lay the groundwork for novel biomacromolecular products in engineering.

Main Methods:

  • Grafting-to or growing-from polymer attachment strategies.
  • Control over polymer molar mass, grafting density, and branching.
  • Characterization of structure-function relationships in biomacromolecular conjugates.

Main Results:

  • Conjugated products exhibit enhanced stability with retained bioactivity.
  • Polymers are increasingly conjugated to nucleic acids and lipid membranes, beyond proteins.
  • Fundamental studies improve synthetic and characterization techniques.

Conclusions:

  • Biopolymer conjugation offers a versatile approach to create advanced biomaterials.
  • Understanding structure-function relationships is key to designing novel conjugates.
  • This field holds promise for breakthroughs in genetic and tissue engineering.