An efficient route to well-defined macrocyclic polymers via "click" cyclization.

Polystyrene macrocycles have been prepared from ATRP precursors by modification of the terminal bromide to an azide, followed by "click" cyclization with a pendant alkyne from the initiator. This route offers exceptional control over the size and polydispersity of the macrocyclic polymers, as well as providing tolerance to a number of functional groups.