Terminology for reversible-deactivation radical polymerization previously called "controlled" radical or "living" radical polymerization (IUPAC Recommendations 2010)

Jenkins, Aubrey D.; Jones, Richard G.; Moad, Graeme

doi:10.1351/PAC-REP-08-04-03

Pure Appl. Chem., 2010, Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 483-491

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REP-08-04-03

Published online 2009-11-18

Terminology for reversible-deactivation radical polymerization previously called "controlled" radical or "living" radical polymerization (IUPAC Recommendations 2010)

Aubrey D. Jenkins¹, Richard G. Jones²* and Graeme Moad³*

¹ 22A North Court, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8JS, UK
² University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK
³ CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Bag 10, Clayton South, VIC 3169, Australia

Abstract: This document defines terms related to modern methods of radical polymerization, in which certain additives react reversibly with the radicals, thus enabling the reactions to take on much of the character of living polymerizations, even though some termination inevitably takes place. In recent technical literature, these reactions have often been loosely referred to as, inter alia, "controlled", "controlled/living", or "living" polymerizations. The use of these terms is discouraged. The use of "controlled" is permitted as long as the type of control is defined at its first occurrence, but the full name that is recommended for these polymerizations is "reversible-deactivation radical polymerization".