A fundamental endeavour in macromolecular science is the control of molecular-level complexity, including molecular weight distribution, end groups and architecture. Since the discovery that native biomacromolecules can have a specific sequence translating in a specific biological function, controlling individual monomer sequence has become the ultimate expression of molecular-level complexity. Replicating this remarkable structural precision in abiological macromolecules has emerged as a defining goal and challenge within polymer science. In this Review, we survey developments in synthetic methods, characterisation techniques, simulation workflows and applications relevant to this goal. We also address the broader question of to what extent is such control of molecular-level complexity significant in macromolecules. Specifically, we will focus on characterisation in this Review because of its importance in connecting synthesis with applications.

高分子科学的一项基本工作是控制分子水平的复杂性，包括分子量分布、端基和结构。自从发现天然生物大分子可以具有特定的序列翻译出特定的生物学功能以来，控制单个单体序列已成为分子水平复杂性的最终体现。在非生物大分子中复制这种非凡的结构精度已成为聚合物科学领域的一个明确目标和挑战。在这篇综述中，我们调查了与此目标相关的合成方法、表征技术、模拟工作流程和应用的发展。我们还解决了更广泛的问题，即这种分子水平复杂性的控制在多大程度上对大分子具有重要意义。具体来说，我们将在本次综述中重点关注表征，因为它对于连接合成与应用非常重要。