Method of controlling polymer molecular weight and structure

A polymer of the formula:

• wherein:
• R, R1, R2, R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of C1 to C18 alky, substituted C1 to C18 alkyl, C6 to C18 aryl, C6 to C18 substituted aryl;
• R groups in a geminal position with respect to each other can together form a 4-8 membered ring;
• and R groups in a cis position with respect to each other can together form a 4-8 membered ring;
• X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1 to C18 alkyl, substituted C1 to C18 alkyl, C6 to C18 aryl, C6 to C18 substituted aryl;
• acyl;
• X and R can form a 5-8 membered ring;
• and X and R3 can form a 5-8 membered ring;
• M is one or more monomer units selected from the group consisting of styrene, substituted styrene, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, substituted alkyl acrylate, substituted alkyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-alkylacrylamide, N-alkylmethacrylamide,
• N,N-dialkylacrylamide, N,N-dialkylmethacrylamide, isoprene and butadiene;
• n is an integer greater than 1;
• Y is a residue derived from a species that initiates free radical polymerization or is selected from the group consisting of C1 to C18 alkyl, substituted C1 to C18 alkyl, C1 to C18 alkoxy, substituted C1 to C18 alkoxy, C6 to C18 aryl, C6 to C18 substituted aryl, C6 to C18 aroyloxy, C6 to C18 substituted aroyloxy;
• and
• all substituents are independently selected from the group that consists of epoxy, hydroxy, C1 to C18 alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, cyano, silyl, halo, and C1 to C18 dialkylamino.