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|doi=10.1021/ja01592a101}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=M. Szwarc |year=1956|title="Living" polymers|journal=Nature|volume=178|issue=4543|page=1168|doi=10.1038/1781168a0|bibcode=1956Natur.178.1168S}}</ref> In one of the breakthrough events in the field of [[polymer science]], Szwarc elucidated that [[electron transfer]] occurred from [[radical anion]] [[sodium naphthalene]] to [[styrene]]. The results in the formation of an organosodium species, which rapidly added styrene to form a "two – ended living polymer." An important aspect of his work, Szwarc employed the [[aprotic solvent]] [[tetrahydrofuran]]. Being a [[physical chemist]], Szwarc elucidated the [[chemical kinetics|kinetics]] and the [[thermodynamics]] of the process in considerable detail. At the same time, he explored the structure property relationship of the various [[ion pair]]s and radical ions involved. This work provided the foundations for the synthesis of polymers with improved control over [[molecular weight]], molecular weight distribution, and the architecture.<ref>Smid, J. Historical Perspectives on Living Anionic Polymerization. ''J. Polym. Sci. Part A.''; '''2002''', ''40'',pp. 2101-2107. [https://archive.today/20121012113202/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/94515609/abstract DOI=10.1002/pola.10286]</ref>
The use of [[alkali metals]] to initiate polymerization of 1,3-[[diene]]s led to the discovery by [[Frederick W. Stavely|Stavely]] and co-workers at Firestone Tire and Rubber company of cis-1,4-[[polyisoprene]].<ref name=Odian>Odian, G. Ionic Chain Polymerization; In '' Principles of Polymerization''; Wiley-Interscience: Staten Island, New York, 2004, pp. 372-463.</ref> This sparked the development of commercial anionic polymerization processes that utilize alkyllithium initiatiors.<ref name="Quirk"/>
[[Roderic Quirk]] won the 2019 [[Charles Goodyear Medal]] in recognition of his contributions to anionic polymerization technology.
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