Living Step Polymerization: Mechanisms and Applications

This lecture explores the challenges in achieving narrow dispersity polymers through conventional step polymerization and the concept of living step polymerization. It discusses the linear evolution of molecular weight, end-functionality, and the breadth of the molecular weight distribution in living polymerizations. The presentation delves into the synthesis and control of polymer architectures, the substituent effect in chain-growth polycondensation, and catalyst transfer in polymerization. Various approaches and techniques for achieving controlled polymerization processes are examined, including surface-initiated chain growth and the development of molecular weight in chain and step polymerizations. The lecture concludes by outlining the learning objectives related to understanding the mechanisms and applications of living step polymerization.