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Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists...

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.

Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis

Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis

Overview
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.

Preparation and Reactions of Thiols

Preparation and Reactions of Thiols

Thiols are prepared using the hydrosulfide anion as a nucleophile in a nucleophilic substitution reaction with alkyl halides. For instance, bromobutane reacts with sodium hydrosulfide to give butanethiol.

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...

Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide

Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide

Alkenes are converted to 1,2-diols or glycols through a process called dihydroxylation. It involves the addition of two hydroxyl groups across the double bond with two different stereochemical approaches, namely anti and syn. Dihydroxylation using osmium tetroxide progresses with syn stereochemistry.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework

Published on: April 9, 2018

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.

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Synthesis of a Water-soluble Metal–Organic Complex Array

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework

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Published on: April 9, 2018

Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of ChalcogenidoplumbatesII or IV

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Synthesis of a Water-soluble Metal–Organic Complex Array

Synthesis of a Water-soluble Metal–Organic Complex Array

Published on: October 8, 2016

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.