Cationic polymerization

IUPAC definition

cationic polymerization: An ionic polymerization in which the kinetic-chain carriers are cations.[1]

In polymer chemistry, cationic polymerization is a type of chain growth polymerization in which a cationic initiator transfers charge to a monomer, which then becomes reactive. This reactive monomer goes on to react similarly with other monomers to form a polymer.[2][3] The types of monomers necessary for cationic polymerization are limited to alkenes with electron-donating substituents and heterocycles. Similar to anionic polymerization reactions, cationic polymerization reactions are very sensitive to the type of solvent used. Specifically, the ability of a solvent to form free ions will dictate the reactivity of the propagating cationic chain. Cationic polymerization is used in the production of polyisobutylene (used in inner tubes) and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK).[4]

  1. ^ "cationic polymerization". Gold Book. IUPAC. doi:10.1351/goldbook.C00910. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ Odian, George (2004). Principles of Polymerization (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Interscience. ISBN 978-0-471-27400-1.
  3. ^ Mark, Herman F.; Bikales, Norbert; Charles G. Overberger; Menges, Georg; Kroschwitz, Jacqueline I. (1990). Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering (2nd ed.). Wiley-Interscience. ISBN 978-0-471-80950-0.
  4. ^ Robello, Douglas R. (2002). "Chem 421: Introduction to Polymer Chemistry – Cationic Polymerization". Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.