Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
Published on: December 16, 2022
Metal-Free Removal of Polymer Chain Ends Using Light
Kaila M Mattson1,2, Christian W Pester2,3, Will R Gutekunst4
1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States.
Abstract:
A light-mediated method for the facile removal of polymer end groups that are common to controlled radical polymerization techniques is presented. This metal-free strategy is general, being effective for chlorine, bromine, and thiocarbonylthio moieties as well as a number of different polymer families (styrenic, acrylic, and methacrylic). In addition to solution reactions, this process is readily translated to thin films, where light mediation allows the straightforward fabrication of hierarchically patterned polymer brushes.
Related Concept Videos
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

