Single electron transfer–degenerative chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization (SET–DTLRP) of vinyl chloride initiated with methylene iodide and catalyzed by sodium dithionite

Single electron transfer–degenerative chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization (SET–DTLRP) of vinyl chloride (VC) initiated with methylene iodide (CH₂I₂) and catalyzed by sodium dithionite (Na₂S₂O₄) in water at 35 °C produces a telechelic poly(vinyl chloride) (LRP–PVC) with two different active chain ends: ICH ₂ (CH₂CHCl)_n‐1CH₂ CHClI , and 2.0 functionality. The reactivity and initiator efficiency of CH₂I₂ in SET–DTLRP of VC was lower than those of iodoform. A possible mechanism for the CH₂I₂‐initiated SET–DTLRP of VC was suggested. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 773–778, 2005