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Reconsidering terms for mechanisms of polymer growth: The “Step-Growth” and “Chain-Growth” Dilemma
Chan, Chin Han Chen, Jiun-Tai Farrell, Wesley S Fellows, Christopher M Keddie, Daniel J Luscombe, Christine K Matson, John B Merna, Jan Moad, Graeme Russell, Gregory T
Chan, Chin Han
Chen, Jiun-Tai
Farrell, Wesley S
Fellows, Christopher M
Keddie, Daniel J
Luscombe, Christine K
Matson, John B
Merna, Jan
Moad, Graeme
Russell, Gregory T
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2022-04-05
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Abstract
The terms “step-growth polymerization” and “chain-growth polymerization” are used widely in both written and oral communications to describe the two main mechanisms of polymer growth. As members of the Subcommittee on Polymer Terminology (SPT) in the Polymer Division of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), we are concerned that these terms are confusing because they do not describe the fundamental differences in the growth of polymers by these methods. For example, both polymerization methods are comprised of a series of steps, and both produce polymer chains. In an effort to recommend comprehensive terms, a 1994 IUPAC Recommendation from the then version of SPT suggested polycondensation and polyaddition as terms for the two variants of “step-growth polymerization”, and similarly chain polymerization and condensative chain polymerization for two variants of “chain-growth polymerization.” However, these terms also have shortcomings. Adding to the confusion, we have identified a wide variety of other terms that are used in textbooks for describing these basic methods of synthesizing polymers from monomers. Beyond these issues with “step-growth” and “chain-growth,” synthesis of polymers one monomer unit at a time presents a related dilemma in that this synthetic strategy is wholly encompassed by neither of the traditional growth mechanisms. One component of the mission of IUPAC is to develop tools for the clear communication of chemical knowledge around the world, of which recommending definitions for terms is an important element. Here we do not endorse specific terms or recommend new ones; instead, we aim to convey our concerns with the basic terms typically used for classifying methods of polymer synthesis, and in this context we welcome dialogue from the broader polymer community in a bid to resolve these issues.
Citation
Chan, C. H., Chen, J.-T., Farrell, W. S., Fellows, C. M. et al. (2022) Reconsidering terms for mechanisms of polymer growth: The “Step-Growth” and “Chain-Growth” Dilemma. Polymer Chemistry, 13, pp. 2262-2270.
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Journal article
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en
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© 2022 The Authors. Published by Royal Society of Chemistry. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00086E
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1759-9954
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1759-9962
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We acknowledge IUPAC for support of this work through project 2019-027-1-400. We thank the members of SPT for helpful discussions and critical feedback in the preparation of this manuscript.