ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION.

Abstract

An historical review of anionic polymerization is presented. Topics include: special features of the anionic mechanism, including the absence of termination processes, the effect of counterion (initiator), and the effect of solvents and reaction conditions; synthesis capabilities for block copolymers and functional end-group polymers; initiation by electron transfer and by nucleophilic attack; and mechanism and kinetics of homogeneous anionic polymerization in polar and in nonpolar media.