Cyclic Polymers and Methods of Making Thereof

Abstract

Described herein are cyclic polymers, including ultrahigh-molar-mass (UHMM, >2 million Da) cyclic polymers. These cyclic polymers can be prepared via catalyst-mediated (e.g., superbase-mediated) ring-opening polymerization followed by macromolecular cyclization triggered by protic quenching. This proton-triggered linear-to-cyclic topological transformation enables selective, linear-polymer-like access to desired cyclic polymers, including those with UHMM surpassing 2 MDa and/or possessing a dispersity (Ð) of 1.4 or less. In addition, these methods can eliminate the need for stringent conditions such as high dilution to prevent or suppress linear polymer contaminants. These cyclic polymers can exhibit not only much enhanced thermostability and mechanical toughness, and can also be quantitatively recycled back to monomer under mild conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.