Neutral but versatile: N‐heterocyclic carbenes are very efficient catalysts for the group‐transfer polymerization of acrylates and methacrylates in both polar and apolar media. These organocatalysts were also used to design all‐(meth)acrylic di‐ and triblock copolymers.

Let them off the leash! Silicone protecting media allow the manipulation and storage of air‐ and moisture‐sensitive N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). Calculations show that a weak carbene–Lewis acid interaction minimizes decomposition of NHCs but does not inhibit NHC reactivity.

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