Reactivity of Macromonomers in Free Radical Polymerization

Macromonomers are linear polymeric o r oligomeric species which, because of the presence of a reactive end group, have the potential either to polymerize with themselves or with comonomers. The reactive group is most commonly a vinyl group that can participate in free radical polymerization, but any polymerizable end group, such as epoxy, bis-hydroxy, etc., is sufficient for the molecule to be classified as a macromonomer. The words “macromer” and “macromonomer” are often used interchangeably, although the former term was introduced originally as a trademark of CPC International to describe the macromonomers discovered by Milkovich [1].