| Abstract: | The preparation by living polymerization and the investigation of the properties of polymers with cyclic chain architectures have been recently undertaken. The cyclization involves a unimolecular end-to-end reaction of a heterodifunctional linear precursor. The elementary steps of the cyclization mechanism are examined in the light of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) data obtained on linear polystyrene precursors and cyclized products. The synthetic procedures developed to prepare macrocyclic polymers of various structures, as well as macrocyclic random and block copolymers are then reviewed and discussed. The main characteristics of the cyclic (co)polymers are compared to the corresponding linear chains and some of the original properties that are induced by the cyclic chain architecture are presented. |
