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Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
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A guide to modern methods for poly(thio)ether synthesis using Earth-abundant metals
Robert C Ferrier1, Gouree Kumbhar1, Shaylynn Crum-Dacon1
1Michigan State University, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, East Lansing MI, USA. ferrier5@msu.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|September 27, 2023
Summary
This review explores synthetic methods for poly(thio)ethers, focusing on catalysts made from Earth-abundant metals. It aims to simplify the selection of polymerization techniques for creating novel poly(thio)ether materials.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Polyethers and polythioethers have a long history in polymer science and diverse applications.
- Their properties stem from epoxide and thiirane monomers, polymerized using Earth-abundant metal catalysts.
- Current polymerization methods for these monomers are underutilized compared to other polymer classes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a focused review of synthetic methods for poly(thio)ethers.
- To outline the benefits and drawbacks of existing polymerization techniques.
- To facilitate the use of these methods and the creation of unique poly(thio)ether materials.
Main Methods:
- Review of extant synthetic methods for poly(thio)ethers.
- Discussion of proposed polymerization mechanisms and specific method characteristics.
- Qualitative scoring of methods based on metrics like ease-of-use and molecular weight control.
Main Results:
- Overview of poly(thio)ether applications.
- Detailed analysis of various synthetic methods, including their advantages and disadvantages.
- A comparative assessment to guide researchers in selecting appropriate polymerization strategies.
Conclusions:
- The review aims to increase the utilization of poly(thio)ether synthesis methods.
- It provides a practical guide for researchers to choose suitable polymerization techniques.
- Future directions for poly(thio)ether synthesis using Earth-abundant metals are discussed.
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