Intramolecular catalyst transfer polymerisation of conjugated monomers: from lessons learned to future challenges

2015 marks the 11th anniversary of the independent discovery carried out by McCullough and Yokozawa for obtaining regio-regular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s with defined molecular weights and distributions via chain-growth Ni-catalysed polymerisations of suitable AB-type organometallic monomers. This finding stirred a tremendous interest in catalyst transfer polycondensations (CTPs) that has resulted in a remarkable broadening of its scope. In this contribution, we will provide our view on the lessons that can be drawn from the major aspects influencing CTPs, indicating, especially in light of the most recent reports, plausible research outlooks for the near future.