Combinations (∈) among controlled/living polymerizations and utilizations of efficient chemical reactions for the synthesis of novel polymeric materials

Building on the 1st-generation method of living anionic polymerization in the 1950s, various 2nd-gen controlled/living polymerization (CLP) techniques were developed in the 1980s-1990s. The CLP techniques now include ionic, radical, ring-opening (metathesis), and condensation polymerizations, allowing us to precisely control molecular weight, polydispersity, and complex architectures. However, the polymerizable monomers restrict the use of single-initiation systems, thereby limiting the synthesis of innovative macromolecules. Polymer chemists are thus interested in investigating ways to design or overcome the obstacles presented by two-initiation or more methods. Our review mainly focuses on the investigations of such combination approaches, represented by the symbol is an element of, in diverse and robust polymerizations. We also depict numerous combinations of revolutionary polymerizations and effective reactions to prepare novel polymeric materials and discuss their relevant, unique properties and applications. Notably, we further address the synthesis of novel macromolecules, including block copolymers (BCPs), bottlebrush polymers (BBPs), hyperbranched polymers (hbPs), and (miktoarm) star copolymers ((mu-)SCPs). This review aims to showcase the effectiveness of synthetic method combinations and highlight the diverse applications of these innovative materials.

Automated summary

This article introduces the application of controlled/living polymerization techniques in polymer synthesis, with a focus on the research of combination methods and the synthesis of innovative materials. It is found that by using various polymerization reactions and reaction combinations, polymer materials with special structures and properties can be synthesized.