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Precision synthesis and closed-loop recycling of ultrahigh-molar-mass cyclic polymers

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The precision synthesis of cyclic polymers with ultrahigh molar mass (UHMM) and circularity is challenging. Now, a method that involves superbase-mediated living linear-chain growth followed by macromolecular cyclization triggered by protic quenching enables the on-demand production of UHMM cyclic polymers with a narrow dispersity and closed-loop chemical recyclability.

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Fig. 1: Proton-triggered linear-to-cyclic topological transformation, characterization and circularity of the cyclic polymer.

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This is a summary of: Zhou, L. et al. Proton-triggered topological transformation in superbase-mediated selective polymerization enables access to ultrahigh-molar-mass cyclic polymers. Nat. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-024-01511-2 (2024).

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Precision synthesis and closed-loop recycling of ultrahigh-molar-mass cyclic polymers. Nat. Chem. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-024-01526-9

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