Metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization: discovery and developments.

Control of radical polymerization has been one of the most challenging frontiers in polymerization chemistry. This review presents the discovery of metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization and recent developments in the evolution of catalysts in terms of versatility and activity, scope of monomers, controlled polymerization in water, catalyst removal, and precision synthesis of well-controlled polymers such as random, block, end-functionalized, and star polymers. Copyright 2004 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.