Reversible-deactivation polymerization

IUPAC definition

Chain polymerization, propagated by chain carriers that are deactivated reversibly,

bringing them into active-dormant equilibria of which there might be more than one.

Note: examples of reversible-deactivation polymerization are group-transfer

polymerization, reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP),

reversible addition−fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT)

and atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP).

Aubrey, Jenkins; Richard G. Jones, Moad, Graeme Pure Appl. Chem., 2010, 82(2), 483–491

Reversible-deactivation polymerization (RDP) is a form of polymerization propagated by chain carriers the majority of which at any instant are held in a state of dormancy through an equilibrium process involving other species. This ensures that the concentration of active carriers is sufficiently low as to render chain termination reactions negligible. Despite having some common features, it is distinct from living polymerization which requires a complete absence of termination.