The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a method of synthesizing polymers using verdazyl agents selected for their property of being moderately unstable free radicals. In one embodiment of the invention a method of synthesizing free standing polymers from suitably selected polymerizable subunits, such as monomers, is provided. In another embodiment of the invention a combination for the synthesis of free standing polymers from suitably selected polymerizable subunits using moderately unstable verdazyls is provided. Using moderately unstable verdazyls permits lower reaction temperatures and faster reaction times, while yielding polymers with low polydispersity.