Synthesis of vinyl polymers by controlled radical polymerization

A controlled radical polymerization process comprising the steps of:

• (a) adding a compound capable of forming a carbon centered radical, which is able to initiate free radical polymerization, having the general structure:
• wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C2 alkyl, cyclic, heterocyclic and alkynol;
• (b) heating the solution to a temperature sufficient to allow the compound to form two carbon centered radical residues;
• (c) adding a first monomer composition comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers to the solution containing the carbon centered radical residues;
• and
• (d) polymerizing the first monomer composition to form a quasi-living polymer.

A controlled radical polymerization process comprising the steps of:

• (a) adding a compound capable of forming a carbon centered radical, which is able to initiate free radical polymerization, having the general structure:
• wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C2 alkyl, cyclic, heterocyclic, alkynol, or aryl;
• R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and C1-C4 alkyl;
• SG is a radical stabilizing group;
• and W is selected from the group consisting of a —C-C-bond and a group that can decompose to form two residues containing carbon centered radicals;
• to a solvent, forming a solution, which is substantially free of oxygen;
• (b) heating the solution to a temperature sufficient to form a denitrogenated iniferter;
• (c) heating the solution to a temperature sufficient to allow the denitrogenated iniferter to form two carbon centered radical residues;
• (d) adding a first monomer composition comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers to the solution containing the carbon centered radical residues;
• (e) polymerizing the first monomer composition to form a quasi-living polymer;
• and
• wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed in the absence of any other ingredient.