Hydroxyl radical activated RAFT polymerization

Abstract

In this chapter, we review some recent examples of RAFT polymerization initiated by highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. A number of approaches to generate hydroxyl radicals to initiate polymerization are described, including the Fenton reaction, photocatalytic processes, enzymatic cascade reactions, and the direct sonolysis of water. Although hydroxyl radicals are thought to be indiscriminate due to their highly reactive and short-lived nature, the results outlined here for initiating RAFT polymerizations are promising, with excellent control over the resultant polymer dispersities and "livingness" observed in most cases.