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Related Concept Videos

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: 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 species into...
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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: Chain Branching01:17

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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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ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis01:28

ATP and Macromolecule Synthesis

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Biological macromolecules are organic compounds, predominantly composed of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are covalently bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other minor elements. There are four major biological macromolecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
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Conversion of...
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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst
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Electrochemically Mediated Depolymerization of Polymers Synthesized by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Victoria Lohmann1, Lok Nga Poon2, Richard Whitfield1

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

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 17, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Electrochemical depolymerization offers precise control over polymer recycling by switching between active and dormant states. This method efficiently regenerates monomers from ATRP-synthesized polymers using an iron catalyst.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Electrochemistry
  • Chemical Recycling

Background:

  • Chemical recycling of polymers is crucial for sustainability.
  • Traditional depolymerization methods have limitations in control and efficiency.
  • Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) synthesized polymers present unique recycling challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce electrochemically mediated depolymerization (EMD) as a novel method for polymer recycling.
  • To demonstrate temporal control over depolymerization using an electrochemical switch.
  • To compare EMD with existing depolymerization techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing an iron catalyst for depolymerization of ATRP-synthesized polymers.
  • Applying electrochemical potential to initiate and regulate the depolymerization process.
  • Comparing monomer recovery rates under electrochemical, thermal, photo, and chemical depolymerization conditions.

Main Results:

  • High percentages of monomers were successfully regenerated using EMD.
  • Negligible depolymerization occurred without electrochemical input, enabling temporal control.
  • EMD outperformed thermal, photo, and chemical methods in monomer recovery.
  • New solvents were identified to facilitate lower-temperature depolymerization pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Electrochemical mediation provides an effective external stimulus for polymer depolymerization.
  • EMD offers superior control and efficiency compared to conventional methods.
  • This approach significantly broadens the scope of chemical recycling technologies.