Living anionic polymerization of alkyl methacrylates initiated by 1,1-diphenylhexyllithium was conducted in a flow microreactor system. A high level of molecular-weight distribution control was achieved under easily accessible conditions, such as at -28 degrees C (MMA: Mw/Mn = 1.16), 0 degrees C (BuMA: Mw/Mn = 1.24) and 24 degrees C (Bu'MA: Mw/Mn = 1.12). The molecular weight (Mn) increased with an increase in the monomer/initiator ratio. The subsequent reaction of a reactive polymer chain end with a second alkyl methacrylate in integrated flow micoreactor systems led to the formation of a block copolymer having narrow molecular-weight distribution. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.