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Related Concept Videos

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

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The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this...
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Radical Reactivity: Overview01:11

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Radicals, the highly reactive species, gain stability by undergoing three different reactions. The first reaction involves a radical-radical coupling, in which a radical combines with another radical, forming a spin‐paired molecule. The second reaction is between a radical and a spin‐paired molecule, generating a new radical and a new spin‐paired molecule. The third reaction is radical decomposition in a unimolecular reaction, forming a new radical and a spin‐paired...
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

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Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

2.0K
The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
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Radical Reactivity: Steric Effects01:10

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The presence of electron-donating, electron-withdrawing, or conjugating groups adjacent to a radical center, imparts electronic stabilization to the radicals. Examples of such electronically-stabilized radicals are triphenylmethyl, tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxide, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl. These radicals are remarkably stable and are known as persistent radicals. Some of the persistent radicals can even be isolated and purified.
Along with electronic...
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Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
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Photoassisted Radical Depolymerization.

James B Young1, Jared I Bowman1, Cabell B Eades1

  • 1George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States.

ACS Macro Letters
|December 5, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Light-triggered depolymerization of polymers made by reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization is explored. This photoassisted method efficiently breaks down polymers into monomers, advancing recyclable materials and circularity.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

  • Controlled radical polymerization techniques like RAFT yield polymers with precise molecular weights and architectures.
  • RAFT polymers possess end-group functionality that can be reactivated for further polymerization or, under specific conditions, depolymerization.
  • Depolymerization offers a pathway for closed-loop recycling of polymers back to monomers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate light as an external trigger for the thermal depolymerization of RAFT-prepared polymers.
  • To explore the effect of irradiation wavelength on depolymerization efficiency by targeting specific electronic transitions in thiocarbonylthio end-groups.
  • To enhance the efficiency of light-induced depolymerization for recyclable materials.

Main Methods:

  • Polymers synthesized via reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization were subjected to thermal depolymerization.
  • Light irradiation was employed, with varying wavelengths, to trigger depolymerization by targeting n → π* and π → π* electronic transitions of thiocarbonylthio end-groups.
  • Depolymerization efficiency was studied for polymers with trithiocarbonate, dithiocarbamate, and p-substituted dithiobenzoate end groups.

Main Results:

  • Decreasing the irradiation wavelength from visible to UV range significantly increased the rate of depolymerization.
  • Photoassisted depolymerization achieved up to 87% efficiency within one hour.
  • The study demonstrated the effectiveness of specific end-group chemistries in enhancing light-induced depolymerization.

Conclusions:

  • Light can effectively trigger the thermal depolymerization of RAFT polymers.
  • UV irradiation is particularly efficient for photoassisted depolymerization, enabling rapid breakdown of polymers.
  • This approach holds significant potential for advancing recyclable materials and achieving life-cycle circularity in polymer applications.