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Kang, H. Solution Polymerization. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60892 (accessed on 22 October 2026).
Kang H. Solution Polymerization. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60892. Accessed October 22, 2026.
Kang, Helena. "Solution Polymerization" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60892 (accessed October 22, 2026).
Kang, H. (2026, October 12). Solution Polymerization. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60892
Kang, Helena. "Solution Polymerization." Encyclopedia. Web. 12 October, 2026.

Solution Polymerization

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Solution polymerization is a polymerization process whose initial reaction mixture contains monomer dissolved in a molecular solvent together with an initiator or catalyst as required. In the strict homogeneous case, both monomer and growing polymer remain soluble under the reaction conditions, so propagation occurs throughout a single liquid phase [1]. The solvent dilutes the reacting species, moderates viscosity, and transfers heat, but it can also alter catalyst speciation, propagation kinetics, and molar mass through chain transfer; solvent-derived chain transfer is a defining kinetic consideration in radical solution polymerization [2]. If the forming polymer becomes insoluble and precipitates, the process is classified as precipitation polymerization rather than homogeneous solution polymerization. The method is also distinct from suspension and emulsion polymerization, where monomer-rich droplets or particles are dispersed in a continuous phase. Removal or retention of solvent after conversion does not define the polymerization; classification depends on the physical state and composition of the reaction medium during chain growth.

solution polymerization homogeneous polymerization solvent chain transfer
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References

  1. Christine K. Luscombe; Graeme Moad; Roger C. Hiorns; Richard G. Jones; Daniel J. Keddie; John B. Matson; Jan Merna; Tamaki Nakano; Gregory T. Russell; Paul D. Topham; A brief guide to polymerization terminology (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure Appl. Chem. 2022, 94, 1079-1084. [CrossRef]
  2. Frank R. Mayo; Chain Transfer in the Polymerization of Styrene: The Reaction of Solvents with Free Radicals1. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1943, 65, 2324-2329. [CrossRef]
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Subjects: Polymer Science
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Helena Kang
View Times: 5
Entry Collection: Organic Chemistry
Revision: 1 time (View History)
Update Date: 19 Oct 2026
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