Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Molecular Weight Control: Step Polymerization

In course

MSE-437: Polymer chemistry and macromolecular engineering

Know modern methods of polymer synthesis. Understand how parameters, which determine polymer structure and properties, such as molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, topology, microstructure can be controlled by proper choice of polymerization me ...

Description

This lecture covers the kinetics and mechanisms of step polymerization, emphasizing the control of molecular weight through stoichiometric balance, chain termination, copolymerization, and industrial applications. The influence of molecular weight on polymer properties is explored, along with the effects of stoichiometric imbalance on the resulting polymers.

Instructor

Harm-Anton Klok

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Chemistry

Organic chemistry: Polymer chemistry

Related concepts (22)

Polymerization

In polymer chemistry, polymerization (American English), or polymerisation (British English), is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form polymer chains or three-dimensional networks. There are many forms of polymerization and different systems exist to categorize them. In chemical compounds, polymerization can occur via a variety of reaction mechanisms that vary in complexity due to the functional groups present in the reactants and their inherent steric effects.

Radical polymerization

In polymer chemistry, free-radical polymerization (FRP) is a method of polymerization by which a polymer forms by the successive addition of free-radical building blocks (repeat units). Free radicals can be formed by a number of different mechanisms, usually involving separate initiator molecules. Following its generation, the initiating free radical adds (nonradical) monomer units, thereby growing the polymer chain. Free-radical polymerization is a key synthesis route for obtaining a wide variety of different polymers and materials composites.

Anionic addition polymerization

In polymer chemistry, anionic addition polymerization is a form of chain-growth polymerization or addition polymerization that involves the polymerization of monomers initiated with anions. The type of reaction has many manifestations, but traditionally vinyl monomers are used. Often anionic polymerization involves living polymerizations, which allows control of structure and composition. As early as 1936, Karl Ziegler proposed that anionic polymerization of styrene and butadiene by consecutive addition of monomer to an alkyl lithium initiator occurred without chain transfer or termination.

Polymer chemistry

Polymer chemistry is a sub-discipline of chemistry that focuses on the structures of chemicals, chemical synthesis, and chemical and physical properties of polymers and macromolecules. The principles and methods used within polymer chemistry are also applicable through a wide range of other chemistry sub-disciplines like organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. Many materials have polymeric structures, from fully inorganic metals and ceramics to DNA and other biological molecules.

Polymer

A polymer (ˈpɒlᵻmər; Greek poly-, "many" + -mer, "part") is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules called macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Due to their broad spectrum of properties, both synthetic and natural polymers play essential and ubiquitous roles in everyday life. Polymers range from familiar synthetic plastics such as polystyrene to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins that are fundamental to biological structure and function.

Related lectures (33)

Polymer Synthesis: Basics and Techniques

Explores polymer synthesis basics, including step and radical chain polymerization, molecular weight control, copolymerization, and crosslinked polymers for microengineering.

Cationic Polymerization: Synthetic Rubber

Explores cationic polymerization for synthetic rubber production, emphasizing initiation, propagation, and termination steps.

Ionic Chain Polymerization: Mechanisms and Selectivity

Explores the mechanisms and selectivity of ionic chain polymerization reactions, emphasizing the advantages of using Lewis acids.

Polymer Chemistry: Basics and Applications

Covers the basics of polymer chemistry, including polymerization mechanisms, molecular weight control, and crystallization behavior.

Radical Chain Polymerization: Question & Exercise Session