Efficient Synthesis of Cyclic Block Copolymers by Rotaxane Protocol by Linear/Cyclic Topology Transformation

High-yielding synthesis of cyclic block copolymer (CBC) using the rotaxane protocol by linear-cyclic polymer topology transformation was first demonstrated. Initial complexation of OH-terminated sec-ammonium salt and a crown ether was followed by the successive living ring-opening polymerizations of two lactones to a linear block copolymer having a rotaxane structure by the final capping of the propagation end. CBC was obtained in a high yield by an exploitation of the mechanical linkage through the translational movement of the rotaxane component to transform polymer structure from linear to cyclic. Furthermore, the change of the polymer topology was translated into a macroscopic change in crystallinity of the block copolymer.