Iodine-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization: a powerful strategy for polymer synthesis

Abstract

Nowadays, well-defined polymers can be easily obtained through different techniques benefitting from the tremendous progress achieved in reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP). As a simple, close to industrial production polymerization strategy, iodine-mediated RDRP has been a powerful tool for the synthesis of well-defined polymers with programmable compositions, relatively narrow molecular weight distributions and precision architectures. In iodine-mediated RDRP, some commercialized products have been utilized in many areas such as surfactants, medical devices, electronics, etc. In this review, we briefly summarize the current research status of RDRP involving iodides and provide a perspective on its development.