Topological polymer chemistry: New synthesis of cyclic and multicyclic polymers and topology effects thereby

Abstract

Recent progress in topological polymer chemistry has been outlined. First, we focus on recent developments in an electrostatic selfassembly and covalent fixation (ESA-CF) " process in conjunction with effective linking/cleaving chemistry including a metathesis process and an alkyne-azide click reaction. A variety of novel cyclic polymers having specific functional groups and unprecedented multicyclic macromolecular topologies have been realized by combining intriguing synthetic protocols. By making use of these topological polymers, unprecedented opportunities have now been realized to provide new insights on fundamental polymer properties either in solution or bulk, in static or dynamic states, or in self-assemblies. Moreover, unusual properties and functions for polymer materials have now been revealed based on their cyclic topologies, i.e., topology effects, unattainable either by linear or branched counterparts. ©2011, The Society of Polymer Science,.