Abstract
Cobalt complexes, which areunique species in the field of polymer synthesis, have demonstrated an extraordinary reactivity in catalytic chain transfer (CCT) polymerization of styrene and acrylates since 1980s and also recently for controlled/living radical polymerization (C/LRP) of vinyl acetate and other unconjugated monomers. In this review, we will introduce the background, reaction mechanism, and current status of the polymerization mediated by cobalt complexes. The perspective of this field will also be covered at the end of this article.