It is readily checked that the polynomials in the above sequence all satisfy the condition in the statement.
Conversely, let f be a polynomial with complex coefficients satisfying the condition
1+f(Xn+1)=(f(X))n.(1)
To begin, we show that, if f(0)=0, then f=−X and n must be odd. To prove this, consider the sequence defined by x0=0 and xk+1=xkn+1, k≥0. Clearly, f(xk+1)=(f(xk))n−1, k≥0, and f(x1)=−1.
If n is odd, induct on k to prove that f(xk)=−xk, k≥0. This is clearly true if k=0,1,2. For the induction step, use (1) to get f(xk+1)=(−xk)n−1=−(xkn+1)=−xk+1. With reference again to the monotonicity of the xk, we conclude that f=−X.
Finally, consider the case f(0)=0. Let ω be a primitive n-th root of unity and use (1) to deduce that (f(X))n=(f(ωX))n, so f(X)=ωmf(ωX) for some non-negative integer m<n. Since f(0)=0, identification of the constant terms yields ωm=1, so m=0, for ω is primitive. Hence f(X)=f(ωX) and identification of coefficients shows that f(X) is a polynomial in Xn with complex coefficients. Alternatively, but equivalently, f(X)=g(Xn+1) for some polynomial g with complex coefficients. Since g also satisfies (1), the conclusion now follows recursively.
Alternative solution – case f(0)=0.
Use (1) repeatedly to obtain f(1)=−1, f(2)=(−1)n−1, f(2n+1)=((−1)n−1)n−1, and deduce thereby that
∣f(2n+1)∣≤2n+1.(2)
We now take time out to show that the roots of f all lie in the disc ∣z∣<2 in the complex plane. To this end, let α0 be a root of f of maximal absolute value. Since the absolute value of the leading coefficient of f is 1, (1) yields
α is a root of f∏∣α0n+1−α∣=1.(3)
Suppose, if possible, that ∣α0∣≥2. If α is a root of f, then
∣α0n+1−α∣≥∣α0∣n−1−∣α∣≥2∣α0∣−1−∣α∣=(∣α0∣−1)+(∣α0∣−∣α∣)≥∣α0∣−1≥1.
Since f(0)=0, at least one of the factors of the product in (3) is ∣α0n+1∣≥∣α0∣n−1≥2n−1≥3, so the product is at least 3 — in contradiction with (3).
Back to the problem, write (2) in the form
α is a root of f∏∣2n+1−α∣≤2n+1.(2′)
By the preceding, if α is a non-zero root of f, then ∣2n+1−α∣≥2n−1−∣α∣>2n−3≥1, so, if the multiplicity of 0 exceeds 1 or f has a non-zero root, then the product in (2') exceeds 2n+1 and we reach a contradiction. Consequently, f=aX, where a is a complex number of absolute value 1, and (1) forces a=−1 and n odd.