High-definition polyphosphoesters: between nucleic acids and plastics

Polyphosphoesters are common to both genetics and cutting-edge polymer science. This review seeks to reframe current conceptions of the boundaries of nucleic acid and polymer chemistry, showing that vital ‘stepping stones’ are now in place, allowing us to make a journey through chemical space between DNA and the synthetic polyphosphoesters. These liminal classes of macromolecule address vital questions about sequence control in polymers, single polymer chain folding, programmed self-assembly, nanoscale photophysics, and chemical data storage. In taking this path, we will impinge upon biochemistry, medicine, photophysics, supramolecular chemistry, nanotechnology, information technology and materials science. The synthetic methods we already have in hand have only just begun to show their promise in all these fields.