Innenrücktitelbild: Synthesis of Topological Gels by Penetrating Polymerization Using a Molecular Net (angew. Chem. 11/2024)

A new method to obtain hydrogel with a topologically cross-linked structure has been developed by Yuichi Ohya et al. in their Communication (e202317045). Topological gels possess structures that are cross-linked only via physical constraints. A water-soluble "molecular net" (MN) with a large molecular weight and three-dimensional network structure was synthesized. When a water-soluble monomer was polymerized in the presence of the MNs, and the extending polymer chains penetrated the MNs to form an ideal topological MN gel with no specific attractive interactions between its components.