Nature

Radical Polymerization Techniques in Polymer Science

Radical polymerization underpins a vast array of synthetic polymers by exploiting the high reactivity of carbon-centred free radicals to initiate and propagate chain growth. Traditional free radical ...
Nature

Controlled switching thiocarbonylthio end-groups enables interconvertible radical and cationic single-unit monomer insertions and RAFT polymerizations

The endeavor to replicate the ordered arrangement of monomer units along the main chain, akin to natural macromolecules, represents a formidable challenge in polymer synthesis and steers the ...
C&EN

Brushing Up on Radical Polymerizations and Simple Synthesis Strategies: Surface-Grafted Polymer Brushes and Bottlebrush Polymers

Surface-initiated controlled radical polymerizations have emerged as a powerful and cost-effective approach for fabricating ultrathin polymer films with diverse functionalities. During this free ...
Phys.org

Light-activated polymerization methods unlock new possibilities for intracellular applications

Synthetic polymers play a crucial role in cell biology, serving as delivery vehicles for DNA and drugs, acting as fluorescent probes for cellular sensing, functioning as bioinks for tissue engineering ...
C&EN

Chemistry in Pictures: Color control

This red light isn’t for romantic ambience. Charles University researcher Martin Orságh says the color lets him control a reaction called radical RAFT (reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer ...