Topological polymer chemistry: Systematic classification of nonlinear polymer topologies

Nonlinear polymer topologies composed of cyclic and branched polymer segmen ts are systematically classified by reference to constitutional isomerism i n a series of alkanes (CnH2n+2), monocycloalkanes (CnH2n), and polycycloalk anes (CnH2n-2, CnH2n-4 etc). Thus. the total number of chain ends (termini) and of branch points (junctions) are maintained as invariant parameters, a s well as the number of branches at each junction and the connectivity of j unction. On the other hand. the distance between two adjacent junctions and that between the junction and terminus are taken as variant parameters. On the basis of the classification of polymer topologies, a novel synthetic s trategy by an "electrostatic self-assembly and covalent fixation" technique has been proposed to construct a variety of topologically unique polymer a rchitectures.