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A variety of initiating systems for the preparation of macromolecules by nitroxide-mediated “living” free radical procedures have been prepared and evaluated. The systems can be divided into two classes, unimolecular initiators in which alkylated TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy) derivatives dissociate to provide both the initiating radical and the stable radical, and bimolecular systems in which a traditional free radical initiator, such as BPO or AIBN, is used in conjunction with TEMPO. For the unimolecular initiators it was found that an α-methyl group is essential for “living” character, while a variety of substituents could be placed on the phenyl ring or the β-carbon atom without affecting the efficiency of the unimolecular initiator. It was also found that the rate of polymerization is approximately the same for both the unimolecular and corresponding bimolecular systems; however, the unimolecular initiators afforded better control over molecular weight and polydispersity.
Hawker et al. (Mon,) studied this question.