Seeing the Light: Advancing Materials Chemistry through Photopolymerization.

The application of photochemistry to polymer science has led to the development of complex yet efficient systems for polymerization, polymer post-functionalization, and materials production. Using light to activate chemical pathways in these systems not only leads to exquisite control over reaction dynamics, but also allows complex synthetic protocols to be easily achieved. Compared to polymerization systems mediated by thermal, chemical, or electrochemical means, photoinduced polymerization systems can potentially offer more versatile methods for macromolecular synthesis. We highlight the utility of light as an energy source for mediating photopolymerization, and present some promising examples of systems which are progressing polymer science through their exploitation of photochemistry.