Polymer Chemistry II (Chain Polymerization)

Academic unit or major

Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering

Instructor(s)

Kotaro Satoh

Class Format

Lecture

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

3-4 Thu (S221)

Class

-

Course Code

CAP.P212

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2021

Offered quarter

4Q

Syllabus updated

Jul 10, 2025

Language

Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

In this lecture, various chain-growth polymerizations including addition polymerization of vinyl monomers and ring-opening polymerization of cyclic monomers will be explained. In addition, the mechanisms of radical, cationic, anionic, and coordination polymerizations will be treated.
Students learn that fundamentals of chain-growth polymerization and polymers obtained by chain polymerization. Students also acquire ability to explain the polymerization mechanism of chain-growth polymerization in addition to that of step-growth polymerization.

Course description and aims

At the end of this lecture, students will acquire the following ability:
1) Ability to explain chain-growth polymerization including addition polymerization of vinyl monomers and ring-opening polymerization of cyclic monomers.
2) Ability to explain the mechanisms of radical, cationic, anionic, and coordination polymerizations.
3) Ability to explain the difference between chain-growth polymerization and step-growth polymerization.

Keywords

Chain-growth polymerization, Step-growth polymerization, Radical polymerization, Ionic polymerization, Copolymerization, Anionic polymerization, Cationic polymerization, Coordination polymerization, Ring-opening polymerization, Living polymerization, Initiation, Propagation, Termination, Chain transfer, Molecular weight, Molecular weight distribution, Tacticity, End-functionality

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This lecture will proceed in the following order: (1) fundamentals of chain-growth polymerization, (2) radical polymerization, (3) ionic polymerization. On the last day, practice problems will be carried out to confirm the level of understanding.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Slides will be used for each lecture.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Basic Polymer Science, Society of Polymer Science, Japan, Tokyo Kagaku Dojin, ISBN9784807909629
Basic master series: Polymer Chemistry, Tadatomi Nishikubo Ed., Ohmusha, ISBN978-4-274-21000-6

Evaluation methods and criteria

The score was accumulatively evaluated by practice problems for confirming the level of understanding, reports, and final exams.

Related courses

• CAP.P211 ： Polymer Chemistry I (Step-Growth Polymerization)
• CAP.B211 ： Organic Chemistry I (Alkanes) (Chemical Science and Engineering)
• CAP.B212 ： Organic Chemistry II (Alkenes)
• CAP.B213 ： Organic Chemistry III (Aromatic Compounds)

Prerequisites

The condition of the study will not be made, but it is desirable to study Organic Chemistry I (Alkanes) (Chemical Science and Engineering), Organic Chemistry II (Alkenes), Organic Chemistry III (Aromatic Compounds), Polymer Chemistry I (Step-Growth Polymerization).

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

Kotaro Satoh: satoh[at]cap.mac.titech.ac.jp

Office hours

Contact by e-mail in advance to book an appointment.