Synthesis and Characterization of Poly[2]-catenanes Containing Rigid Catenane Segments

Abstract

The synthesis and the structure elucidation by 1 H NMR and IR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, and viscometry of two novel poly[2]-catenanes, composed of rigid catenanes connected by semirigid spacers, are reported. The poly[2]-catenanes 4 and 5 differ by the geometry of the catenane units forming kinks between repeat units of angle β ≈ 60° and 150°, respectively. The geometry of the catenane units governs the shape of the molecular weight distribution, the conformational behavior, and the thermal properties of poly[2]-catenanes 4 and 5 .