Chain termination

For the DNA sequencing method, see Sanger sequencing and nucleoside analogue.

In polymer chemistry, chain termination is any chemical reaction that ceases the formation of reactive intermediates in a chain propagation step in the course of a polymerization, effectively bringing it to a halt.

IUPAC definition

Chemical reaction in which a chain carrier is converted irreversibly into
a non-propagating species without the formation of a new chain carrier.[1]

  1. ^ Jenkins, Aubrey D.; Jones, Richard G.; Moad, Graeme (2010). "Terminology for reversible-deactivation radical polymerization previously called "controlled" radical or "living" radical polymerization (IUPAC Recommendations 2010)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 82 (2): 483–491. doi:10.1351/PAC-REP-08-04-03. S2CID 98243937.