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

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.5K
The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the...
2.5K
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:17

Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

2.2K
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.
2.2K
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview01:26

Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview

2.6K
Electrocyclic reactions are reversible reactions. They involve an intramolecular cyclization or ring-opening of a conjugated polyene. Shown below are two examples of electrocyclic reactions. In the first reaction, the formation of the cyclic product is favored. In contrast, in the second reaction, ring-opening is favored due to the high ring strain associated with cyclobutene formation.
2.6K
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)01:16

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

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:26

Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

2.0K
The absorption of UV–visible light by conjugated systems causes the promotion of an electron from the ground state to the excited state. Consequently, photochemical electrocyclic reactions proceed via the excited-state HOMO rather than the ground-state HOMO. Since the ground- and excited-state HOMOs have different symmetries, the stereochemical outcome of electrocyclic reactions depends on the mode of activation; i.e., thermal or photochemical.
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
2.0K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.2K
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,...
2.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Proton sponge: an aromatic glycolysis catalyst.

RSC advances·2026
Same author

Chemical Recycling of Polycarbonate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blends via Organocatalyzed Acetolysis.

ChemSusChem·2026
Same author

Cyclic carbamates from epoxides and isocyanates catalysed by inorganic salts.

RSC advances·2025
Same author

Defining quality by quantifying degradation in the mechanical recycling of polyethylene.

Nature communications·2024
Same author

Polymeric bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride as a recyclable catalyst.

Chemical science·2024
Same author

Correction to Depolymerization within a Circular Plastics System.

Chemical reviews·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
06:55

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

8.1K

Cyclic Ether Triggers for Polymeric Frustrated Lewis Pair Gels.

Utku Yolsal1, Thomas A R Horton1, Meng Wang1

  • 1Department of Materials, School of Natural Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 3BB, United Kingdom.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|August 13, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) in polymers enable small molecule activation and create functional materials. This study demonstrates FLPs for polymer network formation, tuning material properties through cyclic ether reactions.

More Related Videos

Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
11:17

Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction

Published on: January 19, 2016

22.3K
Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,6-Ketoesters Mediated by Ionic Liquids: A Three-component Reaction Enabling Rapid Access to a New Class of Low Molecular Weight Gelators
06:31

Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,6-Ketoesters Mediated by Ionic Liquids: A Three-component Reaction Enabling Rapid Access to a New Class of Low Molecular Weight Gelators

Published on: November 27, 2015

9.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
06:55

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

8.1K
Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
11:17

Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction

Published on: January 19, 2016

22.3K
Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,6-Ketoesters Mediated by Ionic Liquids: A Three-component Reaction Enabling Rapid Access to a New Class of Low Molecular Weight Gelators
06:31

Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,6-Ketoesters Mediated by Ionic Liquids: A Three-component Reaction Enabling Rapid Access to a New Class of Low Molecular Weight Gelators

Published on: November 27, 2015

9.8K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Sterically hindered Lewis acids and bases form frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), which possess latent reactivity for small molecule activation.
  • Integrating FLP chemistry into polymeric frameworks offers a route to responsive and functional materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a versatile synthesis strategy for macromolecular FLPs.
  • To explore the application of these macromolecular FLPs in the ring-opening reactions of cyclic ethers.
  • To investigate the tunability of polymer network properties using FLP chemistry.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of macromolecular frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs).
  • Investigation of FLP-mediated ring-opening reactions of cyclic ethers.
  • Characterization of polymer network formation and properties.

Main Results:

  • Successful preparation of macromolecular FLPs via a versatile synthesis strategy.
  • Demonstration of FLP-mediated polymer network formation triggered by cyclic ether addition.
  • Tunable cross-linking, network strength, and reactivity influenced by ether steric and electronic properties.
  • Resultant polymer networks exhibit properties similar to covalently cross-linked polymers.

Conclusions:

  • Macromolecular FLPs provide a versatile platform for creating functional materials.
  • FLP chemistry can simultaneously control small molecule capture and mechanical properties of polymers.
  • The developed strategy offers a novel approach to designing responsive polymeric materials.