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The concept of a living polymerization is critically discussed. A system ranking various classes of “livingness” is proposed, and the importance of determining the real values of ktr/kp and kt/kp ratios is expounded. New living systems, including carbocationic polymerization and group transfer polymerization of acrylates are compared with classic ionic systems. The mechanism of propagation and the nature of the true active species are similar in both new and classic polymerizations. The role of various components which improve the “livingness” of the polymerizations is discussed and explained by dynamic equilibration between dormant and active species and suppression of side reactions.
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Pugh et al. (1993) studied this question.
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