An "Endless" Route to Cyclic Polymers

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1075401
• Publication Date: 2002-09-19T21:22:20Z
• Authors: Christopher W. Bi...; Diego Benitez; Robert H. Grubbs
• Keywords: Linear polymer

A new synthetic route to cyclic polymers has been developed in which the ends of growing polymer chains remain attached a metal complex throughout entire polymerization process. The approach eliminates need for linear polymeric precursors and high dilution, drawbacks traditional macrocyclization strategies, it effectively removes barrier producing large quantities pure material. Ultimately, strategy offers facile access unique macromolecular scaffold that may be used meet increasing demand applications commercial polymers. As demonstration its potential utility, polyethylenes were prepared found exhibit variety physical properties distinguishable from their analogs.