Photo-cleavage of the cobalt-carbon bond: visible light-induced living radical polymerization mediated by organo-cobalt porphyrins.

This article describes the photo-induced living radical polymerization of acrylamides mediated by organo-cobalt porphyrins through photo-cleavage of the Co-C bond to give organic radicals, which propagate polymerization, and cobalt(II), which is a persistent metal-centered radical. Photo stimulus controls the initiation steps and regulates chain growth by activating the Co-C bond.