polymerizing styrene in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO) radicals. [10] Later, Wayland et al. used a cobalt(II) porphyrin complex to reversibly trap radical species during the polymerization of acrylate monomers, which showed living features: i) linear increase of polymer MW with monomer conversion, and ii) narrow MWD. [11] These techniques set the basis for the development of nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) [12,13] and organometallic mediated radical polymerization (OMRP). [14][15][16] Within the past three decades, controlled radical polymerization (CRP) has been established as a new field in polymer chemistry, in which exceptional control was achieved over polymer architectures, thus enabling the preparation of commercially relevant polymer-based materials for advanced applications. Following IUPAC recommendations, CRP should be termed as reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP). [17] Besides the aforementioned NMP and OMRP, the most affirmed RDRPs are atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) [18][19][20] and reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. [21] RDRP ensures comparable degree of control as living ionic polymerization, while retaining the versatility and the scope of conventional radical polymerization. The fraction of terminated chains in RDRP is small, typically below a few mol%. Polymers and copolymers prepared by RDRP methods can have defined topologies (stars, brushes, networks, combs), compositions (block, gradient, graft, alternate) and chain-end functionalities. [22] This review will focus on ATRP, with particular attention to the design and application of progressively more active and selective copper-based catalysts, and the development of novel, more benign initiation systems. The correlation between the structure of Cu complexes and their catalytic activity will be discussed in detail, also taking into account the effect of solvent and, when present, surfactants and other additives.
Mechanisms of Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerization ProcessesThe core of all RDRP systems is the increase of chain lifetime by reversibly deactivating the propagating radical species, thus forming dormant species that can be subsequently reactivated. As opposed to conventional RP in which the 25 Years of ATRP Approaching 25 years since its invention, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is established as a powerful technique to prepare precisely defined polymeric materials. This perspective focuses on the relation between structure and activity of ATRP catalysts, and the consequent choice of the initiating system, which are paramount aspects to well-controlled polymerizations. The ATRP mechanism is discussed, including the effect of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and side reactions affecting the catalyst. The coordination chemistry and activity of copper complexes used in ATRP are reviewed in chronological order, while emphasizing the structure-activity correlation. ATRP-initiating systems are described, from ...