Lindelpolümerisatsioon

Lindelpolümerisatsioon, also known as Lindel polymerization, is a chemical process that involves the formation of long-chain molecules from smaller repeating units called monomers. This specific type of polymerization is characterized by the reaction mechanism where monomers add to a growing chain by forming new covalent bonds. It is a type of chain-growth polymerization, distinct from step-growth polymerization.

In Lindelpolümerisatsioon, the initiation step typically involves an active species, such as a radical or an ion, which attacks a monomer molecule, creating a new active center on that monomer. This activated monomer then reacts with another monomer, extending the polymer chain and regenerating the active center at the end of the new, longer chain. This propagation step continues, with monomers sequentially adding to the growing chain, until termination occurs. Termination can happen through various mechanisms, such as the combination of two growing chains or disproportionation.

The exact nature of the active species (radical, anionic, or cationic) determines the specific type of Lindelpolümerisatsioon. For instance, radical polymerization is a common form where free radicals are the initiating and propagating species. Anionic and cationic polymerizations involve carbanions and carbocations, respectively. The ability to control the initiation, propagation, and termination steps is crucial for tailoring the properties of the resulting polymer, such as its molecular weight and architecture. This control is often achieved through careful selection of initiators, monomers, solvents, and reaction conditions.