Ceric ion systems

Ceric ions oxidize various organic substrates and the mechanisms typically involve radical intermediates/02 When conducted in the presence of a monomer these radicals may initiate polymerization. 

The reaction of ceric ions with polymer-bound functionalities gives polymer-bound radicals. I hus, one of the major applications of ceric ion initiation chemistry has been in grafting onto starch, cellulose/ polyurethanes and other polymers. The advantage of this over conventional initialing systems is that, ideally, no low molecular weight radicals which might give homopolymer contaminant are fonned. 

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