Chain-growth polymerizations are popular methods because they allow synthesis of highmolecular weight polymers in high yields and in short times. However, copolymers prepared by such processes generally exhibit uncontrolled monomer sequences. The controlled radical copolymerization of styrene with N-substituted maleimides is an interesting exception allowing preparation of controlled primary st...

The Mayo and Flory mechanisms for the self-initiation of styrene polymerization were explored with B3LYP and BPW91 density functional calculations. The Diels-Alder dimer (AH) is the key intermediate, and the lowest energy pathway for AH formation is a stepwise mechanism via a gauche/sickle (*M2*Gs) or gauche/U-shaped (*M2*Gu) diradical. Ring closure of the 1,4-diradical to diphenylcyclobutane (...

Front Cover: Caffeic acid is a component of coffee beans and bears catechol functionality. In article number 2100378 by Kotaro Satoh co-workers, caffeic acid-derived styrene monomer amenable to RAFT polymerization, which one the emerging methodologies for polymer synthesis. Combined with protection/deprotection processes, polymerization results in welldefined functional block copolymers consist...

OBJECTIVE To review the epidemiologic literature on styrene and cancer. METHODS We reviewed studies of workers exposed to styrene in manufacturing and polymerization, in the reinforced plastics industry, and in styrene-butadiene rubber production. We also reviewed studies of workers monitored for styrene exposure, studies of environmental exposure, community-based case-control studies of lymp...