Single electron transfer–degenerative chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization (SET–DTLRP) of vinyl chloride initiated with methylene iodide and catalyzed by sodium dithionite

Single electron transfer–degenerative chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization (SET–DTLRP) of vinyl chloride (VC) initiated with methylene iodide (CH2I2) and catalyzed by sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4) in water at 35 °C produces a telechelic poly(vinyl chloride) (LRP–PVC) with two different active chain ends:ICH2(CH2CHCl)n‐1CH2CHClI, and 2.0 functionality. The reactivity and initiator efficiency of CH2I2in SET–DTLRP of VC was lower than those of iodoform. A possible mechanism for the CH2I2‐initiated SET–DTLRP of VC was suggested.