Metal-Free ATRP: Evolution and Applications

This lecture discusses the evolution and future directions of Metal-Free Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), focusing on the work of Nicolas J. Treat, Hazel Sprafke, and others. It covers the major drawbacks of metal catalyzed ATRP reactions, advantages of light-mediated polymerization, limitations, and possibilities for further improvement of current metal-free ATRP protocols. The presentation explores the synthesis of polymers with precise control over molecular weight, composition, and topology, showcasing various architectural forms of polymers available by living polymerization techniques. It also delves into the mechanisms, optimization, and challenges of metal-free ATRP, emphasizing the need for fast and quantitative initiation and long-lived polymer chains.