Living polymerization

In polymer chemistry, living polymerization is a form of chain growth polymerization where the ability of a growing polymer chain to terminate has been removed.[1][2] This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Chain termination and chain transfer reactions are absent and the rate of chain initiation is also much larger than the rate of chain propagation. The result is that the polymer chains grow at a more constant rate than seen in traditional chain polymerization and their lengths remain very similar (i.e. they have a very low polydispersity index). Living polymerization is a popular method for synthesizing block copolymers since the polymer can be synthesized in stages, each stage containing a different monomer. Additional advantages are predetermined molar mass and control over end-groups.

IUPAC definition

Living polymerization: A chain polymerization from which chain transfer and chain termination are absent.

Note: In many cases, the rate of chain initiation is fast compared with the rate of chain propagation, so that the number of kinetic-chain carriers is essentially constant throughout the polymerization.[3]

Living polymerization is desirable because it offers precision and control in macromolecular synthesis. This is important since many of the novel/useful properties of polymers result from their microstructure and molecular weight. Since molecular weight and dispersity are less controlled in non-living polymerizations, this method is more desirable for materials design[4][5]

In many cases, living polymerization reactions are confused or thought to be synonymous with controlled polymerizations. While these polymerization reactions are very similar, there is a distinction between the definitions of these two reactions. While living polymerizations are defined as polymerization reactions where termination or chain transfer is eliminated, controlled polymerization reactions are reactions where termination is suppressed, but not eliminated, through the introduction of a dormant state of the polymer.[4][5] However, this distinction is still up for debate in the literature.

The main living polymerization techniques are:

  1. ^ Halasa, A. F. (1981). "Recent Advances in Anionic Polymerization". Rubber Chemistry and Technology. 54 (3): 627–640. doi:10.5254/1.3535823.
  2. ^ Moad, Graeme and Solomon, David H. (2006) The Chemistry of Radical Polymerization. 2nd ed. Elsevier. ISBN 0-08-044286-2
  3. ^ Jenkins, A. D.; Kratochvíl, P.; Stepto, R. F. T.; Suter, U. W. (1996). "Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 68 (12): 2287–2311. doi:10.1351/pac199668122287.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Cowie was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Principles was invoked but never defined (see the help page).