State-of-the-art in the studies of three-dimensional radical copolymerisation

The state-of-the art in the study of three-dimensional radical copolymerisation of multifunctional vinyl compounds with various monomers has been analysed. The mechanisms of relationships between copolymerisation kinetics with structure-physical transformations of the reaction medium and structures of cross-linked polymers are discussed. The key role of spectroscopic monitoring methods in the in situ studies of structure–kinetics relationships in three-dimensional radical copolymerisation is demonstrated. New approaches to control over these processes based on the use of chain transfer catalysis and living radical polymerisation are considered.