Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

2.9K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
2.9K
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

8.1K
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.
8.1K
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.3K
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...
2.3K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

2.6K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
2.6K
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...
2.0K
Protecting Groups for Aldehydes and Ketones: Introduction01:23

Protecting Groups for Aldehydes and Ketones: Introduction

7.5K
Protecting groups are compounds that can bind to a specific functional group in the presence of other functional groups to protect them from undesired chemical reactions. These compounds can selectively bind to particular functional groups and advance chemoselective reactions in polyfunctional systems (Figure 1). After the functional group has served its purpose, it is removed by reacting it with specific compounds.
7.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A General Strategy for the Degradation of Nitrile-Containing Plastics and Rubbers via Nickel-Catalyzed Decyanation and Sequential Ethenolysis.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

Repetitive Ethylene Insertion into the Pd-OAc Bond: Synthesis of Heterotelechelic Polyethylene and Effective Copolymerization of Ethylene with Vinyl or Allyl Acetate.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

Polymerisation processes and computational methods to control structure: general discussion.

Faraday discussions·2025
Same author

Novel feedstocks: general discussion.

Faraday discussions·2025
Same author

Catalysis: general discussion.

Faraday discussions·2025
Same author

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Ru Homo- and Heterodinuclear Transition Metal Complexes Bearing Tetrakispyrazolylethene as a Bridging Ligand.

Inorganic chemistry·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

3.6K

Linear Polyethylene with Ketone Groups for Photodegradability: Higher Efficiency with Side-Chain Carbonyls than

Haobo Yuan1, Kohei Takahashi1, Shintaro Nakagawa2

  • 1Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.

ACS Macro Letters
|September 3, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Polyethylene with side-chain ketone groups (poly(E/MVK)) degrades faster than polyethylene with in-chain carbonyl groups (poly(E/CO)). This enhanced photodegradation is due to Norrish type I and II scissions in poly(E/MVK).

More Related Videos

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
07:28

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2015

13.3K
Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
08:12

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

3.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

3.6K
Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization
07:28

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2015

13.3K
Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
08:12

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

3.4K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Photodegradation Studies

Background:

  • Polyethylene is a widely used plastic susceptible to photodegradation.
  • Introducing carbonyl groups can alter polyethylene's degradation pathways.
  • Understanding degradation mechanisms is crucial for material design and recycling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the photodegradation behavior of linear polyethylenes with side-chain ketone groups (poly(E/MVK)) versus in-chain carbonyl groups (poly(E/CO)).
  • To elucidate the degradation mechanisms of poly(E/MVK) using spectroscopic analysis.
  • To investigate the codegradation of poly(E/MVK) in a blend with high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Main Methods:

  • Palladium-catalyzed copolymerization of ethylene and methyl vinyl ketone to synthesize poly(E/MVK).
  • Photodegradation experiments comparing poly(E/MVK) and poly(E/CO).
  • 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze degradation products and mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Poly(E/MVK) exhibited a significantly faster photodegradation rate compared to poly(E/CO).
  • Poly(E/MVK) showed a more pronounced decrease in molecular weight upon photodegradation.
  • 1H NMR analysis indicated that both Norrish type I and type II scissions contribute to the degradation of poly(E/MVK).
  • The presence of methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) groups in the amorphous regions of poly(E/MVK) likely facilitates radical chain reactions and main-chain cleavage.

Conclusions:

  • Linear polyethylenes with side-chain ketone groups demonstrate accelerated photodegradation.
  • The degradation mechanism in poly(E/MVK) involves both Norrish type I and II reactions, enhanced by side-chain MVK group accessibility.
  • Poly(E/MVK) shows potential for controlled degradation applications and can influence the degradation of blended HDPE.