Metal-free photocatalysts with charge-transfer excited states enable visible light-driven atom transfer radical polymerization.

Abstract

Metal-free donor-acceptor photocatalysts enable efficient O-ATRP under visible light, allowing for precise control over polymer molecular weight with low dispersity. These photocatalysts achieve sufficient reductive potential to drive the reaction in their charge-transfer (CT) excited state. The reported efficient photocatalytic O-ATRP has significant potential in scalable polymer synthesis and photolithography.