Nitrogen compounds alkene polymerization

The key initiation step in cationic polymerization of alkenes is the formation of a carbocationic intermediate, which can then interact with excess monomer to start propagation. We studied in some detail the initiation of cationic polymerization under superacidic, stable ion conditions. Carbocations also play a key role, as I found not only in the acid-catalyzed polymerization of alkenes but also in the polycondensation of arenes as well as in the ring opening polymerization of cyclic ethers, sulfides, and nitrogen compounds. Superacidic oxidative condensation of alkanes can even be achieved, including that of methane, as can the co-condensation of alkanes and alkenes. 

Cyclic monomers that have been polymerized via ring-opening encompass a variety of structures, such as alkanes, alkenes, compounds containing heteroatoms in the ring oxygen [ethers, acetals, esters (lactones, lactides, and carbonates), and anhydrides], sulfur (polysulfur, sulfides and polysulfides), nitrogen [amines, amides (lactames), imides, N-carboxyanhydrides and 1,3-oxaza derivatives], phosphorus (phosphates, phosphonates, phosphites, phosphines and phosphazenes), or silicon (siloxanes, silaethers, carbosilanes and silanes). For the majority of these monomers, convenient polymerization conditions have been elaborated, that result in the controlled synthesis of the corresponding polymers [1-13]. 

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