Abstract The long-standing common mistakes on the understanding and expression of the pKa used in anionic polymerization existing in domestic textbooks of polymer chemistry has been revealed.A definite conclusion has been drawn based on the discussion of the 5 different viewpoints in literature using basic organic chemistry knowledge with rigorous logic and clear thinking.And a diagram of reactions and relationships relating to the pKa has been given.Furthermore,questions like“why propylene and vinyl acetate cannot be anionic polymerized into high polymer,but vinyl chloride and ethylene can”,“what would be the proper sequence of monomer addition for synthesis of α-methylstyrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymers”and“why do the anionic polymerization of vinyl monomers usually have ‘fast initiation but slower propagation’”were reasoned using the diagram with supporting literature being given.Applying of the above process in teaching,can stimulate students’ interest in inquiring,cultivate their critical spirit,questioning attitude and dialectical thinking,enhance their awareness and ability of literature search and utilization,while impart correct knowledge and correct errors in textbooks,and have a multi-goal teaching and learning being achieved.
GUO Lin. The pKa Used in Anionic Polymerization:Meaning Discrimination,Application Illustration and Mistakes in Domestic Polymer Chemistry Textbooks[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2025, 46(6): 92-101.
