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Related Concept Videos

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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.
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

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...
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview01:13

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)01:16

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

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...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)00:53

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
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Recyclable Cross-Linked Polyethylene from Self-Condensing Telechelic Polyethylene by Combining Olefin Metathesis,

Mara K Kuenen1, Marc A Hillmyer1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.

ACS Macro Letters
|July 15, 2025
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel method for creating recyclable cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) using ruthenium catalysis. The new PEX can be chemically recycled back to polyethylene, addressing plastic waste challenges.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Sustainable Polymers

Background:

  • Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) offers superior thermomechanical properties over linear polyethylene (PE).
  • The permanent covalent cross-links in PEX hinder efficient recycling, contributing to plastic waste.
  • Current recycling methods for PEX often involve uncontrolled radical chemistries with side reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a recyclable form of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX).
  • To design PEX with inherent chemical recyclability and vitrimeric properties.
  • To utilize ruthenium-based catalysis for controlled polymer synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of self-condensing polyethylene (PE) with hydroxyl and ester groups using ruthenium catalysis.
  • Inducing self-condensation to form ester-cross-linked PEX.
  • Demonstrating chemical recyclability via alcoholysis and vitrimeric behavior through stress relaxation and healing.

Main Results:

  • Successfully prepared ester-cross-linked PEX from self-condensing PE.
  • Achieved chemical recyclability of the PEX back to the original linear PE through alcoholysis.
  • Exhibited stress relaxation at elevated temperatures and demonstrated vitrimeric behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Developed a design strategy for recyclable PEX materials.
  • Ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis enables the creation of self-cross-linkable and recyclable polymers.
  • This approach offers a sustainable alternative to conventional PEX, addressing plastic waste concerns.