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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization or ROMP involves strained cycloalkenes as starting materials. The mechanism of ROMP proceeds by reacting cycloalkene with Grubbs catalyst to give metallacyclobutane intermediate which undergoes a ring-opening reaction to form new carbene. The new carbene reacts with another molecule of cycloalkene. Repetition of these steps leads to the formation of an unsaturated open-chain polymer product. All these steps are reversible, however, relieving the ring...

Polymers

Polymers

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering

Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering

Published on: June 1, 2016

Cell Engineering with Functional Poly(oxanorbornene) Block Copolymers.

Derek C Church¹, Jonathan K Pokorski¹

¹Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|April 14, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Synthetic polymers can now be inserted into cell membranes to add new functions. This method uses functional block copolymers to control cell death with light, offering a new tool for cell-based therapies.

Keywords:

block copolymers cell-surface engineering hydrophobic insertion photosensitizer ring-opening metathesis polymerization

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Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

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Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering

Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering

Published on: June 1, 2016

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

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Published on: October 10, 2016

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Cell Biology
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Cell-based therapies are increasingly important for disease treatment.
Synthetic polymers offer a way to add functions to cells beyond genetic modification.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop functional block copolymers for cell membrane insertion.
To impart controllable functionality, such as light-induced cell death, onto cell surfaces.

Main Methods:

Synthesized functional block copolymers using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP).
Incorporated long alkyl chains for hydrophobic interaction and insertion into the lipid bilayer.
Integrated a photosensitizer for light-activated functionality.

Main Results:

Achieved direct insertion of polymers into the cell membrane via hydrophobic interactions.
Demonstrated spatially controlled cell death using red-light irradiation and localized singlet oxygen generation.
Showcased the ability to imbue polymers with advanced functionalities.

Conclusions:

Developed a novel strategy for functionalizing cell surfaces using synthetic polymers.
This polymer insertion method provides a versatile platform for cell-based therapies.
The approach enables precise control over cellular functions, like targeted cell death.