Ionic polymerization

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-006114",
  "term": "Ionic polymerization",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A chain polymerization whose propagating species are ions or ion pairs, which in practice means carbocations for cationic polymerization or carbanions for anionic polymerization. In a pure solvent, anionic polymerization of styrene or dienes has no inherent termination reaction and gives living chains, whereas cationic systems undergo chain transfer unless they are carefully controlled. Which of the two operates depends on the initiator and the solvent.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "chain polymerization"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 2287. 'Glossary of basic terms in polymer science (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2308 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122287)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/ionic-polymerization/"
}