Comment on "Effects of topological constraints on linked ring polymers in solvents of varying quality" by Z. A. Dehaghani, I. Chubak, C. N. Likos and M. R. Ejtehadi, Soft Matter , 2020, 16 , 3029.

This comment critically evaluates the work of Dehaghani et al. , who investigated the conformational behavior of catenated polymers under diverse solvent conditions using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. While their study provides valuable insights into the scaling behavior of poly[ n ]catenane's radius of gyration in a good solvent, significant discrepancies arise, particularly concerning the reported θ -temperature trends. The validity of their methodology in determining θ -temperatures for linear and ring polymers is questioned, given observed disparities in chosen number of bead ranges that imply varying molecular weights. This comment underscores the need for a meticulous reassessment of the methodologies and interpretations presented in Dehaghani et al. 's study, emphasizing the importance of rigorous considerations in the investigation of the physical properties of catenated polymers.