Search for h_c →π⁺π^-J/ψ via ψ(3686)→π⁰h_c

Using (2712.4±14.3)×10⁶ ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, we search for the hadronic transition h_c→π⁺π^-J/ψ via ψ(3686)→ π⁰h_c. No significant signal is observed. We set the most stringent upper limits to date on the branching fractions B(ψ(3686)→π⁰h_c)×B(h_c→π⁺π^-J/ψ) and B(h_c→π⁺π^-J/ψ) at the 90% confidence level, which are determined to be 6.7×10^-7 and 9.4×10^-4, respectively.