‘Living’ anionic polymerization through reversible activation of C–H bonds with a base catalyst

Living anionic polymerization is generally carried out using a metal-based initiator under stringent, and ideally water-free, conditions. Now, proton transfer anionic polymerization is developed using an organic compound with an acidic C–H bond as the initiator in the presence of a base catalyst. This method offers easy access to well-defined polymers under moderate conditions.