Recent advances in RAFT polymerization of monomers derived from renewable resources

The design and preparation of sustainable materials has received considerable interest in recent years due to growing environmental concerns and diminishing crude oil reserves. In this Minireview, the polymerization of renewable monomers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is discussed. Specifically, small molecules extracted from biomass and their conversion to polymerizable vinyl monomers is examined. Applications of these renewable RAFT polymers are also highlighted and the future outlook for this area of research is considered.