New photochemical processes for macromolecular syntheses

The use of photoinduced processes enabling polymer chemists to synthesize tailored novel macromolecular architectures has recently been revitalized. In this presentation, new photochemical approaches, mainly developed in the authors’ laboratory, were highlighted. It was shown that many homogenous and heterogeneous photoinitiators including structurally modified polymers, nano and porous materials are capable of initiating conventional free radical and cationic polymerizations under UV and visible light. Photoinduced Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and Copper Catalyzed Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) click processes, both based on photoredox reactions of copper catalysts, have been discussed. Their independent and combined use by sequential or in situ manner for macromolecular synthesis is also demonstrated.