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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
12:30
Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
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Productive Exchange of Thiols and Thioesters to Form Dynamic Polythioester-Based Polymers.
Chen Wang1, Sudheendran Mavila1, Brady T Worrell1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, UCB 596, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.
ACS Macro Letters
|June 2, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed dynamic covalent polymerizations using thiol-thioester exchange. This method rapidly forms polymers and dynamic hydrogels under mild conditions, enabling smart materials.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Dynamic covalent bonds enable smart, responsive materials.
- Thiol-thioester exchange (transthioesterification) is a reversible reaction.
- Controlling equilibrium shifts can drive polymer formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop dynamic covalent polymerizations utilizing thiol-thioester exchange.
- To synthesize oligopeptides and dynamic hydrogels under ambient conditions.
- To investigate the responsive properties of the resulting materials.
Main Methods:
- Polymerization of AB and A2-B2 monomers via transthioesterification using mild base catalysts.
- Synthesis of thioester backbone oligopeptides from amino acid derivatives.
- Formation of hydrogels from poly(ethylene glycol)-based monomers in water.
Main Results:
- Rapid polymerization achieved under ambient conditions in various organic solvents.
- Oligopeptides with an average repeating unit of four and a PDI of 1.8 were synthesized.
- Structurally dynamic hydrogels exhibiting sol-gel transitions were formed in neutral water.
Conclusions:
- Transthioesterification is an effective method for creating dynamic covalent polymers and hydrogels.
- The developed polymers and hydrogels demonstrate responsiveness and potential for smart material applications.
- Ambient condition polymerization offers a sustainable and efficient route to advanced materials.
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