The Persistent Radical Effect In “Living” Radical Polymerization
Citations Over TimeTop 1% of 1997 papers
Abstract
A kinetic analysis is presented of “living” polymerizations initiated and controlled by reactions involving persistent radicals. It is shown how a simple self-regulation operates which is known as the persistent radical effect in other areas of radical chemistry. Predictive analytical formulas are derived for the time dependent concentrations of the radical intermediates and the dormant and the final polymer products. They are supported by numerical simulations and agree with experimental findings. In particular, we consider the initiation by homolysis of a stoichiometric initiator into a transient and a persistent radical in the absence and in the presence of self-initiation and the use of conventional initiators together with a persistent species.