Abstract Polymerization-depolymerization equilibrium and ceiling temperature of vinyl monomer are two important thermodynamic questions in polymer chemistry. A new approach treating the polymerization-depolymerization equilibrium of vinyl monomer is developed based on the overall reaction rather than the elementary propagation reaction, with new equations being derived, new definition of ceiling temperature (Tc) being established, and typical examples being given, which can explain the effects of dissolution and concentration of the produced polymer in its monomer on the equilibrium for monomers giving soluble polymers, that were all ignored in Dainton and Ivin’s approach. Also, the concepts of neutral equilibrium and stable equilibrium are introduced. This approach and its conclusion are also applicable to ring-opening polymerization of cyclic monomers.
GUO Lin. Polymerization-Depolymerization Equilibriumand Ceiling Temperature of Vinyl Monomer[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2023, 44(22): 107-117.