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Related Concept Videos

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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 the...
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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...
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...
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...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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

Degradable Vinyl-Based Polymers by Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization: A User Guide.

Bastien Luzel1, Sophia Kouider1, Franck D'Agosto2

  • 1Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire, UMR 7273, F-13397 Marseille, France.

ACS Polymers Au
|June 15, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vinyl polymers are environmentally persistent. Radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) introduces cleavable bonds, creating degradable vinyl-based materials for sustainable applications.

Keywords:
(bio)degradationcleavable comonomercyclic ketene acetals CKAdegradable vinyl-based polymersend of life (EoL)lipoatesradical polymerizationradical ring-opening polymerization rROPrecyclingthionolactones

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Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Functionalized Vinyl Monomers Using Perylene as a Visible Light Photocatalyst

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Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
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Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

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Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
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Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
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Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

Published on: November 21, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

  • Vinyl-based polymers offer desirable properties but pose environmental challenges due to their non-degradable nature.
  • Current methods for creating recyclable or biodegradable polymers are often costly and complex.
  • There is a need to transform existing vinyl polymers into environmentally friendly alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide polymer chemists with guidelines for using radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP).
  • To enable the preparation of vinyl-based materials with predictable degradation.
  • To explore the synthesis of (bio)-degradable and chemically recyclable vinyl polymers.

Main Methods:

  • Copolymerization of vinyl monomers with cyclic monomers using radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP).
  • Introduction of cleavable bonds into the polymer backbone to facilitate degradation.
  • Utilizing the advantages of both ring-opening and radical polymerization.

Main Results:

  • rROP allows for the incorporation of heteroatoms and functional groups into the polymer main chain.
  • This method produces vinyl-based polymers with tunable degradation properties.
  • The resulting polymers are suitable for various applications, including packaging, coatings, and biomaterials.

Conclusions:

  • Radical ring-opening polymerization is an effective strategy for creating degradable vinyl-based materials.
  • This approach offers a pathway to sustainable polymers with reduced environmental impact.
  • The review highlights the versatility and potential of rROP in polymer design.