Search for h_c→π⁺π⁻J/ψ via ψ(3686)→π⁰π⁺π⁻J/ψ

Using a data sample of 448.1×10⁶  ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII, we perform search for the hadronic transition h_c→π⁺π⁻J/ψ via ψ(3686)→π⁰h_c. No signals of the transition are observed, and the upper limit on the product branching fraction B(ψ(3686)→π⁰h_c)B(hc→π⁺π⁻J/ψ) at the 90% confidence level (C.L.) is determined to be 2.0×10⁻⁶. This is the most stringent upper limit to date.