Dispersity

Atom-transfer radical-polymerization

Organic chemistry

Polymer chemistry

Radical polymerization

Radical

Chain transfer

Chemistry

Materials science

Polymerization

Living polymerization

Living free-radical polymerization

Reversible addition−fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization

Polymer

Raft

Nature Reviews Chemistry

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) are the two most common controlled radical polymerization methods. Both methods afford functional polymers with a predefined length, composition, dispersity and end group. Further, RAFT and ATRP tame radicals by reversibly converting active polymeric radicals into dormant chains. However, the mechanisms by which the ATRP and RAFT methods control chain growth are distinct, so each method presents unique opportunities and challenges, depending on the desired application. This Perspective compares RAFT and ATRP by identifying their mechanistic strengths and weaknesses, and their latest synthetic applications.                                                                  Reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) are evaluated in terms of their mechanistic strengths and weaknesses, versatility and latest synthetic advances.

A comparison of RAFT and ATRP methods for controlled radical polymerization