Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
Published on: December 16, 2022
The amidation of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) via N,N-dimethylformamide decomposition
Michael-Phillip Smith1, Lauren E Ball2, Ilanie Wessels1
1Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University Matieland 7602 South Africa bklump@sun.ac.za.
Abstract:
Dimethylformamide (DMF), a commonly employed solvent during poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (SMAnh) functionalization, was noted to decompose and chemically modify the copolymer under laboratory relevant conditions. The in situ generation of dimethylamine resulted in modification of anhydride repeat units, highlighting an undocumented reactivity of DMF with SMAnh which could influence copolymer identity and reactivity.
More Related Videos
09:22Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
12:07Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning
Published on: April 16, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
Preparation of Amides
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
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...
Amides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis:
Hydrolysis of amides under acidic conditions yields carboxylic acids. Since the reaction occurs slowly, hydrolysis requires the conditions of heat.
The mechanism begins with the protonation of the carbonyl oxygen by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the amide carbonyl carbon more...
Acid Halides to Amides: Aminolysis
In the first step of the aminolysis mechanism, the amine attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acyl chloride to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the second step, the carbonyl group is re-formed with the elimination of a chloride...