This is the repeated catalysed addition of monomer to a growing polymer chain and which carries a reactive silyl ketene acetal group. During the addition reaction, the silyl group transfers to the incoming monomer. This generates a new ketene acetal function for reaction with more monomer.
Catalysts are bifluoride salts, Lewis acids and various oxyanions. The reaction is carried out in solvents such as THF, chlorobenzene and toluene.
Using GTP, polymers with functional groups selectively placed may be produced. Methacrylate polymers with unusual structures such as blocks, grafts, macromonomers, stars, telechelic, high molecular weight, narrow dispersity resins, etc. Star polymers are one example which leads to improved polymer properties. These polymers are high molecular weight multiarmed polymers that contain crosslinked cores. The cores may be a difunctional methacrylate and the arms radiating outwards from this core, monofunctional meth(acrylate) with functional groups attached.