Insights into relevant mechanistic aspects about the induction period of Cu0/Me6TREN-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization

Abstract

There is a controversial debate about the mechanism of the Cu⁰-catalyzed radical polymerization. Herein, a comparative analysis of a series of reactions catalyzed by different valent copper shows that the induction period and the subsequent autoaccelerated polymerization of a Cu⁰/Me₆TREN-catalyzed system originate from the accumulation of soluble copper species, and Cu^I is still a powerful activator under its disproportionation favored conditions.