A high-efficiency strategy for synthesizing cyclic polymers of methacryates in one pot

An unprecedented strategy for the high-efficiency preparation of the cyclic polymers is developed. In this strategy, the atom transfer radical polymerization, the substitution of chain-end halide by azide group and Cu-catalyzed alkyne-azide cyclization, i.e., the frequently used three separated steps for the preparation of cyclic polymers, are integrated into a one-pot reaction by the introduction of a "regulator". The kernel of this novel strategy is the utilization of the different rates between the competitive ATRP propagation and SN 2 substitution of a tertiary-carbon halogen and secondary-carbon halogen. 0.55 g (yield = 59%) cyclic poly(methyl methacrylate) is obtained from 3.0 mL reaction solution. This work proposed a high-efficiency and bright promising strategy for the preparation of cyclic polymer, which would evoke more research interests on cyclic polymer.