Controlled Radical Polymerization: Mechanisms and Applications

This lecture covers the mechanisms and applications of controlled radical polymerization techniques such as ATRP and RAFT. It explains how these methods allow for precise control over polymer structure and composition, enabling the synthesis of complex architectures like star-shaped polymers and block copolymers. The presentation also delves into the challenges and advantages of these techniques, including the importance of protection groups in ATRP to avoid catalyst poisoning. Additionally, it discusses the kinetics of RAFT polymerization and the factors influencing copolymer composition in chain copolymerization. Overall, the lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practical aspects of controlled radical polymerization in polymer chemistry and macromolecular engineering.