BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO THE FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION PROCESS

Conventional free radical polymerization processes are limited by thei r inability to be used for the synthesis of resins of controlled molec ular weights and complex architecture. New processes are being develop ed in which the free radical propagating chain is reversibly terminate d, allowing the free radical polymerization to behave in a living fash ion. A review of these processes is presented, along with preliminary results of chain extension studies of nitroxide-terminated polystyrene as a model for block copolymer synthesis.