Methacrylate monomers were successfully polymerized by ATRP utilizing copper wire as an in situ reducing agent at near-ambient temperatures (35 degrees C). Well-controlled polymerizations were demonstrated with both PM DETA and dNbpy ligands. Polymerization rates, when conducted with PM DETA, were dependent on the surface area of Cu-0. Upon reduction of the copper deactivator concentration (i.e., (CuBr2)-Br-II), polymerizations would only occur in the presence of excess ligand, whereas polymerization rates were independent of [(CuBr2)-Br-II]. Proper selection of initiator and copper halide improved polymerization control with PM DETA. dNbpy was found to be an excellent ligand for M MA, resulting in polymerization systems with controlled behavior, predetermined molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions (M-w/M-n <= 1.2), and near-quantitative initiation. The versatility of dNbpy was demonstrated by polymerization of a wide range of methacrylates, synthesis of polymethacrylates with molecular weights up to 80000, and efficient chain extension of a PM MA macroinitiator.