Vol.
25 No. 4
July - August 2003
Terminology
for Radical Polymerizations with Minimal Termination
About
10 years ago it was discovered that the addition of certain
compounds—e.g., nitroxides or complexes of Cu(I)—had
a profound effect on the course of a radical polymerization.
The radicals formed are then able to persist for long periods,
consequently the molecular weight of the polymer produced
increases with conversion, resulting in low polydispersity.
In their enthusiasm for novel reactions of this kind, the
authors of papers describing their results developed individual
types of nomenclature without any coordination.
The
frenzy of activity on the part of individuals outside IUPAC
to attempt to define terms, or to call for regulated terminology,
demonstrates the urgent need for an appropriate IUPAC body
to quickly provide an internationally agreed set of terms
in this field of the so-called "living" and/or "controlled"
radical polymerization. The IUPAC Subcommittee on Macromolecular
Terminology wishes to resolve these issues with a minimum
of delay.
For
more information contact the Task Group Chairman Aubrey
D. Jenkins at <[email protected]>.
www.iupac.org/projects/2002/2002-006-2-400.html
Page
last modified 30 June 2003.
Copyright © 2002-2003 International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry.
Questions regarding the website, please contact [email protected]
|