Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Particles without a Box: Brush-first Synthesis of Photodegradable PEG Star Polymers under Ambient Conditions
Published on: October 10, 2013
Four component Passerini polymerization of bulky monomers under high shear flow
Bryan T Tuten1, Aaron H Bui, Sandra Wiedbrauk
1Centre for Materials Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia. bryan.tuten@qut.edu.au christopher.barnerkowollik@qut.edu.au.
Abstract:
We introduce a four component Passerini polymerization utilizing sterically bulky isocyanide monomers. Under typical Passerini conditions, bulky isocyanides do not react within standard Passerini reaction timescales (hours). We overcome this challenge via the unique physiochemical conditions present in a vortex fluidic device, reducing the reaction time to 2 h on average. Under these high-shear thin-film conditions, bulky isocyanides are readily incorporated into the multicomponent polymerization without the need of high-pressure or temperature. Finally, we demonstrate that the four component approach using functional cyclic anhydrides allows for post-polymerization modification.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

