LIVING RADICAL POLYMERIZATION .1. POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

The possibility of the synthesis of well-defined polymers by radical p olymerization is discussed. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that the pre paration of polymers with controlled macromolecular structure in a ''l iving'' radical process requires a low stationary concentration of gro wing radicals which are in a dynamic equilibrium with the dormant spec ies. Three approaches are described: first, when growing radicals reac t reversibly with scavenging radicals to form covalent species, second , when growing radicals participate in the degenerative transfer react ion which regenerates the same type of radicals. Some of the reported ''living'' radical systems are critically evaluated.