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Related Concept Videos

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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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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Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)01:16

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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...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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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

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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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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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Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
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Reversed Controlled Polymerization (RCP): Depolymerization from Well-Defined Polymers to Monomers.

Glen R Jones1, Hyun Suk Wang1, Kostas Parkatzidis1

  • 1Laboratory for Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 1, 2023
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Controlled polymerization techniques enable precise polymer synthesis, paving the way for efficient depolymerization. This research reviews methods for converting polymers back to monomers, addressing environmental concerns.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

  • Controlled polymerization methods offer high precision in polymer synthesis.
  • These methods yield polymers with specific end-group functionalities.
  • Depolymerization of polymers is crucial for addressing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging field of depolymerization for polymers synthesized via controlled polymerization techniques.
  • To critically analyze current literature based on polymerization methods (radical, ionic, metathesis).
  • To explore future strategies for enhancing depolymerization efficiency and scope.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of depolymerization studies.
  • Categorization of depolymerization strategies based on controlled polymerization methods.
  • Exploration of concepts like lower temperature systems, catalysis, and expanded polymer scope.

Main Results:

  • Controlled polymerization enables depolymerization under milder conditions.
  • High end-group fidelity is key to efficient polymer-to-monomer conversion.
  • Various controlled polymerization techniques show promise for recyclable polymers.

Conclusions:

  • Depolymerization of precisely synthesized polymers is a viable route to monomer recovery.
  • Further research into catalytic systems and broader polymer applicability is needed.
  • Advancements in controlled depolymerization contribute to sustainable polymer management.