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Related Concept Videos

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.4K
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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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.1K
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...
2.1K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.6K
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.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
3.6K
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

2.3K
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.
The extent of the...
2.3K
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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Single-Molecule Diffusion and Assembly on Polymer-Crowded Lipid Membranes
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Single-Molecule Diffusion and Assembly on Polymer-Crowded Lipid Membranes

Published on: July 19, 2022

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Macromolecule-Driven Supramolecular Polymerization Induced by Crowding Effects.

Joost van der Tol1, Magda Dekker1, Adam Muller1

  • 1Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|July 8, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Macromolecular crowding in organic solvents guides supramolecular polymerization and assembly. This study explores how crowders control polymer formation and create novel condensed, aligned structures in synthetic systems.

Keywords:
CrowdingMacromoleculesSequestrationSupramolecular polymerization

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Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
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Area of Science:

  • Supramolecular chemistry
  • Polymer science
  • Soft matter physics

Background:

  • Macromolecular crowding is vital in biological systems for regulating dynamic processes.
  • Its influence on synthetic supramolecular polymerization in organic media is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate the impact of excluded volume effects from macromolecular crowders on supramolecular polymerization in organic media.
  • To explore the tunability of supramolecular assembly through macromolecular crowding.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized various discotic supramolecular monomers for sequential assembly into polymers and higher-order aggregates (HOAs).
  • Investigated the phase diagram of supramolecular assemblies under varying crowder concentrations, sizes, and polarities.
  • Tested different monomers, macromolecules, and solvents to establish general applicability.

Main Results:

  • Macromolecular crowders were found to be essential for the formation of polymers and HOAs in organic media.
  • Supramolecular assembly phase diagrams showed strong dependence on crowder concentration, size, and polarity, enabling control over polymerization.
  • High crowder concentrations induced transitions to phase-separated states, forming large, condensed, and aligned assemblies in dried samples.

Conclusions:

  • Macromolecular crowding is a versatile tool for guiding supramolecular polymerization in synthetic organic environments.
  • This research provides fundamental insights into assembly processes within crowded systems.
  • Opens new avenues for applying macromolecular crowding principles beyond aqueous systems.