Poly[2]catenanes and cyclic oligo[2]catenanes containing alternating topological and covalent bonds: Synthesis and characterization

Large bifunctionalized catenate and catenand, composed of macrocycles conta ining 45 atoms, have been synthesized and copolymerized with a terephthalic acid derivative to afford a cyclic oligo[2]catenand and a linear poly[2]ca tenate. Poly[2]catenand was obtained by demetalation of poly[2]catenate. Th e molecular weight distribution of these polymers, which are composed of al ternating topological and covalent bonds, has been characterized by gel per meation chromatography (GPC) with universal calibration, viscometry, and MA LDI-TOF mass spectrometry, We were able to synthesize a poly[2]catenate and a poly[2]catenand with a degree of polymerization (DP) equal to 8-9. In ad dition. an upper value of the Kuhn segment length of poly[2]catenand has be en determined and is discussed in the light of its structure.