Common Cyclic Monomers and Their Polymerization Mechanisma
Compound | Chemical Structure | Main Ring Size | Typical / Possible Mechanism |
Amines |
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3, 4, 7 | Cationic |
Anhydrides |
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5, 7 | Copolymerization with epoxides (ROCOP) |
Carbonates |
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5 - 8 | Anionic |
Diesters (Glycolides) |
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6 | Cationic |
Disulfides |
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≥ 8 | Radical |
Ethers |
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3 - 5, 7 | Cationic, anionic |
Ketene acetals |
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5 - 8 | Radical |
Lactams |
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4 - 7 | Cationic, anionic |
Lactones |
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4, 7, 8 | Cationic, anionic |
Olefins |
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4, 5, 8 | Metathesis |
Oxazolines |
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5 | Cationic |
Phosphazenes |
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6 | Cationic |
Phosphonites |
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3, 5 - 7 | Anionic |
Siloxanes |
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6, 8 | Cationic, anionic |
Thioethers |
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3, 4 | Cationic, anionic |
Thiolactones |
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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)