vinylated

Vinylated is an adjective used in chemistry and materials science to describe a molecule that has been modified to carry one or more vinyl groups (ethenyl, CH2=CH–). The vinyl group is highly reactive in radical- and addition-type reactions, making vinylation a common step to enable crosslinking or further functionalization.

Methods: Vinylation can be accomplished by introducing vinylating agents (for example vinyl halides, vinyl sulfones, or vinyl esters) that form covalent bonds with nucleophilic sites such as amines, alcohols, or thiols. Radical vinylation uses vinyl radicals generated by heat or light to add to substrates. In polymer chemistry, vinyl groups can be grafted onto backbones or surface-exposed sites to yield vinylated polymers that can be cured by radical polymerization or used in thiol-ene click reactions.

Applications: Vinylated materials are used to enable crosslinking and network formation in hydrogels, coatings, and adhesives; to attach dyes, drugs, or biomolecules in bioconjugation; and to create functionalized surfaces for sensors and catalysis. The vinyl group serves as a handle for subsequent polymerization or addition reactions.

Safety and handling: Vinylating agents can be reactive and potentially hazardous; proper handling, ventilation, and waste disposal are required.

See also: vinyl group; vinylation; polymerization; crosslinking; thiol-ene reaction.