Given that polymers are among the most important man-made materials, one dominant challenge in polymer chemistry is to identify novel resources which can substitute the finite supply of petrochemicals. Concurrently, the development of new polymers that address this concern is imperative to improve the standpoint for environmental benefit. On the one hand, converting elemental sulfur, the by-product of the petroleum industry, into useful polymers and related materials is ever-evolving way to address the challenges raised by waste valorisation. On the other hand, multicomponent reactions that benefit from inherent modular character, easy reaction setup, and high tolerance towards diverse functional groups ensure sustainable synthesis patterns. Accordingly with the idea to overcome global challenges and minimize sulfur resources, herein, we introduce innovative polymerization methods to deliver new class of polymers. To achieve this, we explore the applicability of cost-effective multicomponent redox condensation of elemental sulfur as a novel polymerization approach to deliver two previously unknown polymer classes, namely poly(thiomalonamide)s and poly(imidazothione)s. The developed synthesis protocols proceed with the merits of mild conditions, broad substrate scope, operation simplicity and metal-free conditions. Last but not at least, to enrich the product structures of the multicomponent redox condensation of elemental sulfur, the synthesis of so far unprecedented alternating copolymers based on 2,4-thiophene/arene repeating units was also studied. It is anticipated that the cost-effective multicomponent redox condensation of elemental sulfur would enable the creation of novel polymers which could be used in real-life nanotechnological applications.

The vibrant interplay of elemental sulfur and polymer chemistry to address global challenges

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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