Cyclophane-containing polymers

In spite of the remarkable progress of cyclophane chemistry, syntheses of polymers containing cyclophane units in the main chain and side chain by utilizing the transannular π-π interaction are considerably limited. In this review, syntheses, properties, and applications of [m,n]cyclophanes-containing (m⩽3 and n⩽3) polymers prepared to date are presented. The main body of the review is classified into broadly four categories: introduction of (i) main-chain-type cyclophane-containing polymers, (ii) side-chain-type cyclophane-containing polymers, (iii) rigid-rod conjugated polymers containing pendent aromatic rings, and finally (iv) aromatic-ring-layered polymers comprising [2.2]paracyclophane.