Abstract A novel approach based on the reaction of multifunctional star polymers with chromophore-labelled linear polymers is presented for evaluating the extent of termination by chain–chain coupling during living free-radical polymerizations. A mixed initiating system consisting of an unlabelled, multifunctional initiator and an excess of a monofunctional alkoxyamine initiator containing a chromophore, such as pyrene, is used to initiate the ...