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Related Concept Videos

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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...
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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

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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...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael...
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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched 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.
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Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
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Supramolecular Polymerization Controlled by Reversible Conformational Modulation.

Jiang-Fei Xu1, Zehuan Huang1, Linghui Chen1

  • 1Key Lab of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

ACS Macro Letters
|May 26, 2022
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a new method to control supramolecular polymer structure and molecular weight. This involves reversible conformational modulation of crown-ether-based taco complexes, enabling tunable polymer properties.

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Area of Science:

  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Supramolecular polymers offer tunable properties through non-covalent interactions.
  • Controlling molecular weight and structure in supramolecular polymerization remains a challenge.
  • Crown ether complexes provide a platform for molecular recognition and self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel method for fabricating supramolecular polymers with controlled structure and molecular weight.
  • To demonstrate the use of reversible conformational modulation for tuning supramolecular polymerization.
  • To establish a facile and general methodology for controllable supramolecular polymerization.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of a monomer featuring a bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 core.
  • Induction of a 'taco complex' conformation in the crown ether core.
  • Depression of linear supramolecular polymerization via taco complex formation.
  • Disassembly of the taco complex using cucurbit[7]uril to regenerate the polymer.

Main Results:

  • The crown-ether-based monomer successfully undergoes supramolecular polymerization in solution.
  • Formation of the taco complex significantly depressed polymerization, leading to lower molecular weight.
  • Extraction with cucurbit[7]uril effectively dissociated the taco complex and restored high molecular weight.
  • Demonstrated reversible control over supramolecular polymer molecular weight.

Conclusions:

  • A new method for fabricating supramolecular polymers with controlled molecular weight via conformational modulation has been developed.
  • The taco complex serves as an effective switch to modulate supramolecular polymerization.
  • This approach offers a versatile platform for designing and synthesizing advanced supramolecular materials.