Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel iron complex having a cyclic amine compound as a ligand and a method for producing polymers by polymerizing a radical polymerizable monomer in the presence of the iron complex and a radical generator. The problem for the present invention is providing a method capable of producing a polymer or block copolymer having a chemically convertible functional group at the end from a radical polymerizable monomer and providing a method for recovering the iron complex in a solvent with a high recovery rate after the polymerization reaction. This problem is solved by providing a novel iron complex, a method for producing a polymer in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator that uses the iron complex as a polymerization catalyst and a method for simply and easily recovering the iron complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel iron complex bearing a cyclic amine as ligand; and a process for the production of polymers by polymerizing a radical-polymerizable monomer in the presence of the iron complex and a radical generator. The invention aims at providing a process by which a polymer having a chemically convertible functional group at the end can be produced from a radical-polymerizable monomer and which permits the production of a block copolymer and a process for recovering, after polymerization, an iron complex into a solvent at a high recovery ratio. The aim can be solved by providing a novel iron complex, a process for producing a polymer in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator by using the iron complex as the polymerization catalyst, a process for the production of a block copolymer which is subsequent to the polymerization for producing the above polymer, and a process for recovering the iron complex easily and simply.