Nitroxide radicals formed in situ as the regulators of polymer chain propagation

The literature data on the controlled synthesis of macromolecules using nitroxide radicals formed in situ in the course of polymerization as the regulators of polymer chain propagation are systematized and generalized. Attention is focused on the mechanism of control over the polymer chain propagation in the radical homopolymerization under conditions of the reversible inhibition and on the effect of the structure of precursors and regulating additives on the polymerization kinetics of different monomers and the molecular-weight characteristics of the synthesized high-molecular-weight compounds. The main methods for the in situ generation of stable nitroxide radicals are considered. The prospects for the development and practical application of the mentioned approaches to the synthesis of new polymeric materials are assessed.