ABSTRACT

In the last two decades, extensive development of new polymer synthesis methods has allowed for novel polymer chemistries and architectures. Specifically, the emergence of a variety of controlled/living radical polymerizations (CRP/LRP) has provided techniques allowing for more precise design of the composition, size, topology, functionality, and architecture of macromolecules-the dream of many polymer chemists. These strategies include nitroxide-mediated living radical polymerization (NMP), transition metal complex-mediated living radical polymerization (ATRP), and living radical polymerization via reversible addition fragmentation transfer polymerization (RAFT).