The formation of an addition oligomer, having uniform end groups
X' ...
X" , by a chain reaction in which a chain transfer limits the length of the polymer ('telomer') produced. An example is the polymerization of styrene in bromotrichloromethane solution (
X' =
CCl3,
X" =
Br), where
Cl3C· radicals are formed in the initiation step to produce
Cl3C[CH2CHPh]nBr, with
n greater than 1 and often less than
ca. 10:
T06260.png
See also: oligomerization
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1173 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)