A new conceptualization in relation to ionic polymerizations

Abstract

AbstractA new systematization is presented for the polymerization reactions in relation to the so‐called “Ionic Polymerizations'. The basis of the new systematization, is the concept of the reaction between “Electrophile” and “Nucleophile”. The reactants are either ions (cation or anion) or dipoles. Polymerization reactions except free radical polymerization and polycondensation are classified into three categories depending upon the reactivity characteristics (electrophilic or nucleophilic) of the propagating species.a. Polymerization via electrophilic propagating speciesb. Polymerization via nucleophilic propagating speciesc. Polymerization via zwitterionsEmphasis is placed on the polymerization reactions which propagate through covalent species having nucleophilic or electrophilic reactivity. By this systematization, several polymerization systems which have been treated as unusual or exceptional cases are thus reasonably categorized.