Search for <i>h_c</i> → π<SUP>+</SUP>π<SUP>-</SUP> <i>J</i>/ψ via ψ(3686) → π<SUP>0</SUP><i>h_c</i>

Using (2712.4 +/- 14.3) x 10(6) psi(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, we search for the hadronic transition h(c) -> pi(+)pi(-)J/psi via psi(3686) -> pi(0)h(c). No significant signal is observed. We set the most stringent upper limits to date on the branching fractions B(psi(3686) -> p(0)h(c)) x B(h(c) -> pi(+)pi(-)J/psi) and B(h(c) -> pi(+)pi(-)J/psi) at the 90% confidence level, which are determined to be 6.7 x 10(-7) and 9.4 x 10(-4), respectively.