Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

9.2K
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.
9.2K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

3.1K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
3.1K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.4K
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,...
2.4K
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:17

Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

2.4K
The stereochemistry of electrocyclic reactions is strongly influenced by the orbital symmetry of the polyene HOMO. Under thermal conditions, the reaction proceeds via the ground-state HOMO.
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
2.4K
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

3.6K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
3.6K
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.5K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
2.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Pyrolysis of Monodisperse Poly-<i>α</i>-Methylstyrene.

Journal of research of the National Bureau of Standards (1977)·2021
Same author

Gamma Irradiation of Fluorocarbon Polymers.

Journal of research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and chemistry·2020
Same author

Reaction of Sulfur, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Accelerators With Propylene and Butadiene.

Journal of research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and chemistry·2020
Same author

Pyrolysis of Linear Copolymers of Ethylene and Propylene.

Journal of research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and chemistry·2020
Same author

Pyrolysis of Fluorocarbon Polymers.

Journal of research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and chemistry·2020
Same author

Preparation of Fluoro- and Bromofluoroaryl Compounds by Copyrolysis of Bromofluoroalkanes.

Journal of research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and chemistry·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils
07:01

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils

Published on: January 25, 2018

10.4K

Pyrolysis of Anionic and Thermally Prepared Polystyrenes.

Leo A Wall1, Sidney Straus1, Roland E Florin1

  • 1Institute for Materials Research, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. 20234.

Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and Chemistry
|March 20, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study details polystyrene molecular weight changes using thermal and anionic methods. A kinetic chain decomposition model explains the observed polymerization behaviors.

Keywords:
Anionic polystyrenemolecular weight distributionsmolecular weightspolymerspolystyrene degradationpyrolysisthermal polystyrenethermolysis

More Related Videos

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by &#960;-&#960; Stacking Interactions
10:53

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

Published on: October 10, 2016

14.5K
Grafting Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Polystyrene to Enable Self-Assembly and Anisotropic Patchiness
11:09

Grafting Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Polystyrene to Enable Self-Assembly and Anisotropic Patchiness

Published on: April 1, 2018

8.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils
07:01

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils

Published on: January 25, 2018

10.4K
Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by &#960;-&#960; Stacking Interactions
10:53

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

Published on: October 10, 2016

14.5K
Grafting Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Polystyrene to Enable Self-Assembly and Anisotropic Patchiness
11:09

Grafting Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes with Polystyrene to Enable Self-Assembly and Anisotropic Patchiness

Published on: April 1, 2018

8.4K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Chemical Kinetics

Background:

  • Understanding polymer molecular weight distribution is crucial for material properties.
  • Previous studies on polystyrene synthesis lacked a comprehensive kinetic model.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular weight changes and initial rates of polystyrenes.
  • To elucidate the underlying kinetic mechanisms in polystyrene preparation.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of polystyrenes via thermal and anionic polymerization techniques.
  • Measurement of molecular weights, their distributions, and initial reaction rates.

Main Results:

  • Observed changes in molecular weights and distributions were systematically recorded.
  • Initial polymerization rates were quantified for both preparation methods.

Conclusions:

  • A kinetic chain decomposition model effectively explains the experimental data.
  • The model incorporates competing initiation, depropagation, transfer, and termination steps.