New synthetic possibilities offered by organometallic-mediated radical polymerization

In the last years, considerable efforts have been devoted to the development of methods for controlling the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers and designing a large range of well-defined macromolecular structures with specific properties. Although significant progress has been made, there is still room for improvements especially for the so-called ‘less activated’ monomers (LAMs) like vinyl esters, N-vinylamides, olefins, etc. This presentation aims to describe the potential of the Organometallic-Mediated Radical Polymerization (OMRP) for controlling the polymerization of these challenging monomers. Basic principles of OMRP will be presented as well as cutting edge developments in this field like the precision design of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVAs) or the synthesis of novel alkylcobalt(III) species used as functional OMRP initiator for producing unique well-defined α-functional polymers.