Radical ions as chain carriers in polymerization reactions

Abstract

Certain polymerization reactions show the formation of medium molecular weights at the beginning of the reaction, although they can be considered to be polycondensations. The principle of equal reactivity of the end groups is not given in this case. Intermediates more reactive than the monomer are formed during the reaction. Poly(oxy-2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene), poly(l,4-phenylene sulfide) and poly(l,4-phenylene) are examples of this type of reaction. The formation of radical ions in these reactions is discussed and they are compared to Bunnett's SRN1-reactions.