Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
Alkyl α-Hydroxymethyl Acrylate Monomers for Aqueous Dispersion Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly
Xiao Wang1, Shoukuo Man1, Jinwen Zheng1
1Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
Abstract:
Baylis-Hillman reaction was used to afford a series of four alkyl α-hydroxymethyl acrylates, methyl (MHMA), ethyl (EHMA), isopropyl (iPrHMA), and n-butyl (nBHMA) α-hydroxymethyl acrylate, with tunable water solubility. MHMA and EHMA with high water solubility were identified as suitable candidates for aqueous dispersion polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). PISA of EHMA and MHMA using poly(ethylene glycol) macromolecular chain transfer agents (PEG45-CTA and PEG113-CTA) was investigated under either thermal or photoinitiation at 40-70 °C. Photo-PISA at low temperatures provided both morphological transition and PEG45-PEHMA block copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. iPrHMA with moderate water solubility was used for dispersion-emulsion polymerization with the formation of vesicles being observed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

