ABSTRACT The general kinetic features of the radical polymerization processes accompanied by reversible chain termination reactions are considered. The problem of steady-state concentration of radicals is analyzed. It is shown that the increase of polymerization rate always leads to the accumulation of “dead” polymer. The condition for production of polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) is formulated. It is shown that this can be achieved by the intense reaction of reversible termination.
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