Designing unusual polymer topologies by electrostatic self-assembly and covalent fixation

A novel protocol for designing a variety of topologically unique multicycli c polymer architectures, such as mono-, bi-, and tricyclic polymers as well as topological isomers; has been proposed on the basis of an electrostatic self-assembly of polymer precursors having five-membered cyclic ammonium s alt groups accompanying plurifunctional carboxylate counteranions. Upon dil ution in an organic medium at a concentration of below a gram per liter, th e multiple aggregates of the polymer precursors completely dissociate into a smallest assembly, and cations and anions balance the charge. The subsequ ent covalent fixation through the ring-opening reaction of cyclic ammonium salt groups by carboxylate counteranions provides an efficient means for a variety of polymer architectures comprising mono- and multicyclic polymer u nits.