| abstract |
Disclosed is a low-cost environmentally friendly living radical polymerization catalyst having high activity. The catalyst is used for a living radical polymerization method, and contains a central element composed of oxygen and at least one halogen atom bonded to the central element. An alcohol compound can be used as a catalyst precursor. By radically polymerizing a monomer having a radically reactive unsaturated bond in the presence of the catalyst, there can be obtained a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution and the cost of the living radical polymerization can be remarkably reduced. The living radical polymerization method of the present invention is significantly more environmentally friendly and economically excellent than conventional living radical polymerization methods, due to advantages of the catalyst such as low toxicity, low usage, high solubility, mild reaction conditions, and colorlessness/odorlessness (which do not require a post-treatment for a molded article). |