Continuous flow copper-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerizations

Copper-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) has been one of the most powerful synthetic strategies to obtain well-defined macromolecules. The current scientific and engineering challenges still remained, including but not limited to batch-batch variety, time-consuming process, inconsistent induction time and hot spot effect. The utility of microflow technique has been proved to be an alternative methodology to improve the polymerization process. This feature article highlighted the recent new progress in continuous flow RDRP in the last five years. Cu(I), Cu(0) and Cu(II) were respectively reviewed as catalyst in consecutive order. The outlook of copper-mediated RDRP in microreactor was also discussed.