Highly active copper-based catalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization

A new copper-based complex CuBr/N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine was developed as a versatile and highly active catalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylic, methacrylic and styrene monomers. This is a promising milestone toward a commercial ATRP at industrial scale with catalyst concentration low enough to eliminate the need for post-purification and catalyst recovery.