Precision Polymer Synthesis by Degenerative Transfer Controlled/Living Radical Polymerization Using Organotellurium, Organostibine, and Organobismuthine Chain-Transfer Agents

A review of the special issue of Chemical Review surveys the mechanistic and synthetic aspects of TERP, SBRP, and BIRP. It is revealed that organoiodine-mediated living radical polymerization (IRP) is mechanistically similar to TERP, SBRP, and BIRP. The review mainly deals with TERP, SBRP, and BIRP, while reviewing the latest developments in living radical polymerization (LRP) under different methods. The review reveals that the availability of chain-transfer agents (CTAs) is a key issue in terms of practical applications of LRPs. Many of the organoheteroatom CTAs are easily prepared on large scales and easily purified by simple vacuum distillation. These organoheteroatom CTAs can be stored for long periods under a nitrogen atmosphere and are handled using standard syringe techniques despite being moderately air sensitive. It is also revealed that three conditions have been developed for conducting TERP, SBRP, and BIRP.