living radical polymerization

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08914

Radical polymerization in which chain termination and irreversible chain transfer are absent.

Notes:

Radical polymerizations, controlled radical polymerizations and reversible-deactivation radical polymerizations are not living radical polymerizations as there is a non-zero probability of chain termination.
The term living radical polymerization can be used to refer to a hypothetical radical polymerization that occurs without chain termination.
Use of the adjectives pseudo-living, quasi-living, 'living' (within quotation marks) or other terms that containing the word living to describe a radical polymerization with only some living characteristics is deprecated.

Example:
Certain polymerizations conducted in confined media which only allow reactions of individual propagating radicals.

See also: reversible-deactivation radical polymerization, controlled radical polymerization

Source:
PAC, 2022, 94, 1093. 'Terminology for chain polymerization (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 1103 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2020-1211)