Common Cyclic Monomers and Their Polymerization Mechanisma
| Compound | Chemical Structure | Main Ring Size | Typical / Possible Mechanism |
Amines |
 |
3, 4, 7 | Cationic |
Anhydrides |
 |
5, 7 | Copolymerization with epoxides (ROCOP) |
Carbonates |
 |
5 - 8 | Anionic |
Diesters (Glycolides) |
 |
6 | Cationic |
Disulfides |
 |
≥ 8 | Radical |
Ethers |
 |
3 - 5, 7 | Cationic, anionic |
Ketene acetals |
 |
5 - 8 | Radical |
Lactams |
 |
4 - 7 | Cationic, anionic |
Lactones |
 |
4, 7, 8 | Cationic, anionic |
Olefins |
 |
4, 5, 8 | Metathesis |
Oxazolines |
 |
5 | Cationic |
Phosphazenes |
 |
6 | Cationic |
Phosphonites |
 |
3, 5 - 7 | Anionic |
Siloxanes |
 |
6, 8 | Cationic, anionic |
Thioethers |
 |
3, 4 | Cationic, anionic |
Thiolactones |
 |
4 - 8 | Cationic, anionic |
aModified and extended data published by Nuyken and Pask1
References
- O. Nuyken and S.D. Pask, Polymers, 5, 361 - 403 (2013)