Ring-opening polymerization

Chain polymerization involving cyclic monomers

In polymer chemistry, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a form of chain-growth polymerization in which the terminus of a polymer chain attacks cyclic monomers to form a longer polymer (see figure). The reactive center can be radical, anionic or cationic. Ring-opening of cyclic monomers is often driven by the relief of bond-angle strain.

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