Veronika Kottisch

TL;DR: A strategy is reported that enables monomer incorporation to be determined via the selection of the wavelength of light through selective activation of either cationic or radical processes to enable the synthesis of varying polymeric structures under identical solution conditions but with simple modulation of the external stimulus.

TL;DR: Significantly, photoreversible cation formation in this system enables efficient control over polymer chain growth with light, and this polymerization proceeds under mild conditions with good control over molecular weight and dispersity.

TL;DR: This Minireview provides a concise historical perspective on cationic polymerization induced by light and discusses the latest advances in both photoinitiated and photocontrolled processes that will likely impact industries ranging from micropatterning to the synthesis of complex biomaterials and sequence-controlled polymers.

TL;DR: The mechanism of the recently reported photocontrolled cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers was investigated using a variety of catalysts and chain-transfer agents as well as diverse spectroscopic and electrochemical analytical techniques to reveal a complex activation step characterized by one-electron oxidation of the CTA.

TL;DR: A method where monomer selectivity is controlled during the polymerization by the application of two orthogonal stimuli is reported, which allows on demand control over polymer structure with external influences and highlights the potential for using stimuli-controlled polymerizations to access novel materials.