Process for the controlled radical polymerization or copolymerization of

Abstract

At least one of the monomers is polymerized or copolymerized in bulk, solution, emulsion or suspension, at a temperature which may be as low as 0.degree. C., in the presence of at least one radical-generator compound and at least one metal complex catalyst of formula Ma.sub.a (L).sub.n (M=Cu, Ag or Au; A=Hal, pseudohalogen or carboxylate; L=ligands of M chosen from those of formula ##STR1## R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, aromatic or heteroaromatic; Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 =one of the following: ##STR2## (R.sup.7 to R.sup.18 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, aromatic or heteroaromatic; R.sup.19 and R.sup.20 =H, Hal, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy or --(CR.sup.21 R.sup.22)rNR.sup.23 R.sup.24, where R.sup.21, R.sup.22, R.sup.23 and R.sup.24 =H,C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, aromatic or heteroaromatic, and r=integer from 1 to 10; it being possible also for not more than two from among Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 each to represent H; o, p and q=integer from 1 to 10 and may also be 0 except if the associated residue Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 or Z.sup.3, respectively, is --NR.sup.19 R.sup.20 ; a=1 or 2; n=1, 2 or 3.