Controlled radical polymerization of vinyl monomers catalyzed by ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

As part of our program devoted to the development of new metal-NHC catalyst systems, we have launched a detailed investigation on the catalytic activity of ruthenium-p-cymene complexes bearing NHC ligands for the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclic olefins and for the ATRP of vinyl monomers. We report herein on the use for ATRP of [RuCl2(p-cymene)(NHC)] complexes generated in situ by combining the [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 dimer with an imidazolium salt and a base such as potassium tert-butoxide, cesium carbonate or aluminum isopropoxide.