Pd-Mediated Light-Controlled Living Radical Polymerization of Methyl Acrylate

The radical polymerization of methyl acrylate in the presence of a palladium dimer complex and ethyl iodoacetate as an initiator under photoirradiation conditions led to the formation of poly(methyl acrylate) having good Ð values. The polymerization could be controlled by switching the light on and off, exhibiting living characteristics. We propose that such α-Pd polyesters could function as dormant species, which would allow a pair of transient α-keto radicals and persistent Pd radicals to be generated upon photoirradiation.