Abstract: This present invention is directed towards the identification or design, preparation, and use of suitable transition metal complexes for use as catalysts. The transition metal complexes may comprise heterodonor ligands. The present invention is also directed toward a method of determining the suitability of a transition metal complex for use in a catalytic reaction, such as, but not limited to, atom transfer radical polymerization (“ATRP”), atom transfer radical addition (“ATRA”), atom transfer radical cyclization (“ATRC”), and other catalytic redox reactions. The method assists in the approximate determination of the fundamental properties of the transition metal complex in a reaction media, such as, but not limited to, solubility, redox potential, stability towards acidic, basic, or ionic species, conditional radically transferable atom phylicity, and propensity toward disproportionation and therefore, the suitability of the complex to be used as a catalyst in the reaction media.

Abstract: Embodiments of the polymerization process of the present invention are directed to polymerizing free radically polymerizable monomers in the presence of a polymerization medium initially comprising at least one transition metal catalyst and an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization medium may additionally comprise a reducing agent. The reducing agent may be added initially or during the polymerization process in a continuous or intermittent manner. The polymerization process may further comprise reacting the reducing agent with at least one of the transition metal catalyst in an oxidized state and a compound comprising a radically transferable atom or group to form a compound that does not participate significantly in control of the polymerization process.

Abstract: Polymers comprising a polymer backbone comprising one or more degradable units are described. The polymer may additionally comprise two or more polymer segments comprising radically (co)polymerizable vinyl monomer units. The degradable units may be independently selected from, but not limited to, at least one of hydrodegradable, photodegradable and biodegradable units between the polymer segments and dispersed along the polymer backbone. The degradable units may be derived from one or more monomers comprising a heterocyclic ring that is capable of undergoing radical ring opening polymerization, a coupling agent, or from a polymerization initiator, radically polymerizable monomers, as well as other reactive sources. Embodiments of the degradable polymer of claim are capable of degrading by at least one of a hydrodegradation, photodegradation or biodegradation mechanisms to form at least one of telechelic oligomer and telechelic polymeric fragments of the polymer.

Abstract: This present invention is directed towards the identification or design, preparation, and use of suitable transition metal complexes for use as catalysts. The transition metal complexes may comprise heterodonor ligands. The present invention is also directed toward a method of determining the suitability of a transition metal complex for use in a catalytic reaction, such as, but not limited to, atom transfer radical polymerization (“ATRP”), atom transfer radical addition (“ATRA”), atom transfer radical cyclization (“ATRC”), and other catalytic redox reactions.

Abstract: A controlled polymerization process is described in which the polymerization free radically (co)polymerizable ionic monomers is initiated in the presence of a system initially comprising a transition metal complex, and an initiator comprising a radically transferable azide group. The process may include an excess of one or more uncomplexed ligand and at least a portion of the nonionic monomers may be polar monomers. The ionic monomer may be anionic or cationic.

Abstract: The present invention describes preparation of nanocomposite particles and structures by polymerizing monomers onto a functional inorganic colloid comprising a polymerization initiation site. The polymerization process is preferably a controlled/living polymerization process, including but not limited to, atom transfer radical polymerization and stable free radical polymerization. The nanocomposite particles can self-organize in solution, on surfaces or in films forming nanocomposite structures. Tethered AB block nanocomposite particles bring size control, solubility control and control over micro- and macro-functionality to the particles. The process may be catalyzed by a transition metal complex which participates in a reversible redox cycle with at least one of the group and a compound having a radically transferable atom or group, to form a nanocomposite particle with a tethered polymer chain. The process may be continued to form tethered copolymer chain.

Abstract: The present invention describes preparation of nanocomposite particles and structures by polymerizing monomers onto a functional inorganic colloid comprising a polymerization initiation site. The polymerization process is preferably a controlled/living polymerization process, including but not limited to, atom transfer radical polymerization and stable free radical polymerization. The nanocomposite particles can self-organize in solution, on surfaces or in films forming nanocomposite structures. Tethered AB block nanocomposite particles bring size control, solubility control and control over micro- and macro-functionality to the particles. The process may be catalyzed by a transition metal complex which participates in a reversible redox cycle with at least one of the group and a compound having a radically transferable atom or group, to form a nanocomposite particle with a tethered polymer chain. The process may be continued to form tethered copolymer chain.