HIGHLIGHT Anionic Polymerization: High Vacuum Techniques NIKOS HADJICHRISTIDIS, HERMIS IATROU, STERGIOS PISPAS, MARINOS PITSIKALIS Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece Received 5 June 2000; accepted 8 June 2000 ABSTRACT: Anionic polymer- ization is a powerful tool for the synthesis of a variety of model ma- terials with well-defined molecular characteristics. However specially designed apparatuses and appro- priate high vacuum techniques are needed in order to exclude from the reaction environment all reac- tive contaminants with the anionic centers. This review describes the basic principles of anionic poly- merization as well as detailed ex- perimental methods for the purifi- cation of the reagents usually used for the synthesis of model poly- meric materials. In addition a few examples of the synthesis of poly- mers with complex architecture are given. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3211–3234, 2000 Keywords: anionic polymeriza- tion; molecular architecture; living polymers; glass blowing FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: H. IATROU, S. PISPAS, M. PITSIKALIS, N. HADJICHRISTIDIS Hermis Iatrou: B. Sc. University of Athens, Greece (1989); Ph.D. University of Athens, Greece (1993); Postdoctoral Research: Institute of Material Science in the Center of Nuclear Science in Juelich, Germany with Prof. Dr. Dieter Richter (1994 –1995) and University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA with Prof. Jimmy Mays (August 1997–February 1998); Research Associate, University of Athens (since 1998); 27 papers in refereed scientific journals; 20 announcements in international scientific conferences. Stergios Pispas: B. Sc. University of Athens, Greece (1989); Ph.D. University of Athens, Greece (1994); Postdoctoral Research: University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA with Prof. J. W. Mays (1994 –1995); Research Associate, University of Athens (since 1997); Visiting Scientist: Foundation for Research and Technology, Greece (November 1990), University of Alabama at Birmingham, (August–September 1992 and September–October 1993), Max Plank 3211 Correspondence to: N. Hadjichristidis (E-mail: hadjichristidis@ chem.uoa.gr) Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Vol. 38, 3211–3234 (2000) © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.